Stabilization of aminosteroids for topical ophthalmic and other applications

ABSTRACT

The invention provides methods for stabilizing amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents in topical ophthalmic and other pharmaceutical formulations using effective stabilizing amounts of lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymers; and methods for stabilizing and solubilizing amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents in such pharmaceutical formulations using effective stabilizing amounts of lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymers and amounts of selected cyclodextrin derivatives sufficient to at least partially solubilize the therapeutic agents. The cyclodextrin derivatives are selected from the group consisting of the hydroxypropyl, hydroxyethyl, glucosyl, maltosyl and maltotriosyl derivatives of β- and γ-cyclodextrin. Stabilized and stabilized/solubilized pharmaceutical compositions adapted for various routes of administration are also described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 07/984,445, filed on Dec. 2, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,582, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/933,574 filed Aug. 24, 1992 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,926, as a file wrapper continuation of application Ser. No. 07/838,875, filed Feb. 19, 1992, now abandoned, which is itself a divisional of application Ser. No. 07/537,062, filed Jun. 12, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,154. The entire disclosures of said prior applications are incorporated by reference herein and relied upon.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods for stabilizing amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents in topical ophthalmic and other pharmaceutical formulations using lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymers. The invention further relates to methods of stabilizing and solubilizing amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents in such formulations using selected cyclodextrin derivatives, particularly in combination with lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymers. The invention further relates to topical ophthalmic and other pharmaceutical compositions comprising amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents and lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymers and selected cyclodextrin derivatives.

BACKGROUND

It is known that oxygen-derived radical species are important mediators of several forms of tissue damage, such as ischemic and traumatic injuries to organs and tissues, inflammatory responses and injuries which result from the intra-cellular metabolism of chemicals and drugs. In particular, oxygen-derived radical species have been suggested as destructive forces in such maladies as head and spinal cord injury, stroke, shock, Parkinsonism, muscular dystrophy, emphysema, ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome), asthma, aging, post-myocardial infarct tissue destruction, drug toxicity, radiation damage, transplant rejection and burn damage.

In addition to their adverse effects on various other body tissues, oxidation reactions can also cause damage to the eye. It is known, for example, that the aqueous humor of the eye is rich in hydrogen peroxide and that the anterior tissues bathed by the aqueous humor exist in an extraordinarily oxidative environment. It is further known that prolonged exposure of the eye to light of certain wavelengths can cause harm to anterior, posterior and other tissues of the eye. Indeed, prolonged exposure to light produces oxidative damage in many tissues such as the lens, retina and retinal pigmented epithelium. Additionally, chronic exposure to light and to an oxidative environment is believed to induce cumulative damage, which, depending on the severity of the exposure and the susceptibilities of the individual exposed can result, in the best of cases, in normal aging and discomfort and, in the worst of cases, in pathological disorders and loss of vision.

In addition to light exposure, such a cascade leading to the production of harmful oxidative species is initiated by inflammation, by trauma, by ischemia, by hemorrhaging by stimulation by a variety of drugs and endogenous cell regulators, by pressure exertion on tissues as occurs diurnally as a result of intraocular pressure changes in the anterior chamber of the eye, and indeed by a host of processes both normal and abnormal that occur continuously in the eye. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are also readily subjected to chemical (non-enzymatic) oxidation to yield hydroperoxides, hydroxy fatty acids and malondialdehyde, materials which can contribute to the overall damage that accumulates with time.

Thus, oxidative processes are now known to a play a role in age-related cataracts, light-induced retinal damage, other retinopathies such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, inflammatory damage (such as that seen in uveitis), vascular leakage and edema (as in cystoid macular edema), accidental or surgical trauma, angiogenesis, corneal opacities, retrolental fibroplasia and some aspects of glaucoma.

To counteract the harmful effects of the oxidative processes described above, the body naturally produces a number of defensive compounds such as α-tocopherol (vitamin E, which is an antioxidant), ascorbic acid, glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Thus, vitamin E, is known to be a scavenger of both lipid peroxyl radicals and oxygen radicals, as well as to have a membrane-stabilizing action. Indeed, it is believed that chronic dietary vitamin E supplementation can attenuate postischemic cerebral (hypoperfusion) by inhibiting the lipid peroxidative process.

In order to enhance the eye's ability to protect from damaging oxidative processes such as can occur with aging or due to a sudden trauma, it has been proposed to supply vitamin E to the eye by oral administration in view of its known ability to inhibit oxidative processes. Vitamin E does scavenge free radicals and function as an antioxidant. However, it must be given chronically to have any effect. Moreover, even when administered chronically with other antioxidants, such as glutathione and vitamin C, the results are at best mixed.

A group of 21-aminosteroids has been found to act as antioxidants, and some aminosteroids have been employed intravenously, intraperitoneally and orally in the treatment of central nervous system injury, head and spinal injury, and edema associated with acute stroke. It has been reported that intravenous administration of a citrate buffered saline solution of 0.15 % by weight of U-74600F for treatment of spinal cord or brain injury has been effective to arrest lipid peroxidation therein. It is also known that in performing toxicology studies with various drugs, polysorbate 80 and hydroxypropylcellulose and the like can be used as suspending agents in low viscosity formulations.

International Publication No. WO 87/01706, published Mar. 26, 1987, which discloses a number of aminosteroids and their therapeutic use in a variety of contexts, as well as administration techniques and dosages, does not disclose treatment or prevention of ophthalmic diseases or disorders. Nor does it disclose topical application to the eye or administration by intraocular injection. Moreover, prior art formulations which cannot be comfortably and effectively applied to the eye have limited applicability.

Applicants' great grandparent application Serial No. 07/537,062, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,154, discloses methods and compositions which are designed to enhance the ability of the tissues of the eye to respond to trauma, to aging, to surgery, to the threat of glaucoma by increasing intraocular pressure, to the potential loss of vision from progression of macular degeneration and the like by supplementing, both acutely and chronically, the natural ability of the eye to resist oxidative damage. In one aspect, the '154 invention discloses methods of arresting processes (particularly oxidation processes) causing damage to the eye of a human or other animal that is subject to intraocular damage (particularly oxidative intraocular damage) and in need of improved visual function or prevention of its loss from such damage, wherein certain amino-substituted steroids which function as a therapeutic agent (particularly an antioxidant agent) are administered in an inert vehicle to the eye tissue by intraocular injection or topically. In another aspect, the '154 invention discloses methods of preventing or treating ophthalmic diseases or disorders in a human or other animal that is subject to intraocular damage (particularly oxidative intraocular damage) and in need of improved visual function or prevention of its loss from such damage, wherein an ophthalmically effective amount of certain amino-substituted steroids which function as a therapeutic agent (particularly an antioxidant agent) is administered, in an inert vehicle, to arrest processes (particularly oxidation processes) damaging to the eye. Compositions useful in the disclosed methods are also described.

The aminosteroids disclosed in International Publication No. WO 87/01706 and great grandparent U.S. Ser. No. 07/537,062 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,154), as well as in parent Ser. No. 07/933,574, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,926 thus are valuable therapeutic agents, particularly as a consequence of their antioxidant activity. However, the aminosteroids suffer from stability problems and they can cause irritation. Moreover, because they are potent antioxidants, the aminosteroids are especially sensitive to oxidative degradation; moreover, these compounds are subject to hydrolytic degradation and rearrangement. Such instability can severely limit the usefulness of pharmaceutical compositions containing the aminosteroids, for example, by drastically shortening the shelf-life of the formulations and/or requiring stringent control of storage conditions. The aminosteroids also are known to be highly insoluble in water, even in salt form; such insolubility can seriously hamper efforts to utilize the compounds to their full potential. There is thus a serious need for improved pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aminosteriods and for methods for the stabilization or combined stabilization and solubilization of such pharmaceutical compositions and for amelioration of irritation.

Sustained release ophthalmic formulations of an ophthalmic drug and a high molecular weight polymer to form a highly viscous gel have been described in Schoenwald et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,271,143, issued Jun. 2, 1981 and Schoenwald et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,792, issued Oct. 4, 1983.

U.K. Patent Application GB 2007091 A, published May 16, 1979, describes an ophthalmic composition in the form of a gel comprising an aqueous solution of a carboxyvinyl polymer, a water-soluble basic substance and an ophthalmic drug, the gel having a pH of 5 to 8 and a viscosity of 1,000 centipoises to 100,000 centipoises at 20° C.

U.K. Patent Application GB 2013084 A, published Aug. 8, 1979, describes an aqueous gel for application to the conjunctival sac of the eye comprising an ophthalmic drug and a polymer having carboxylic or anhydride functional groups and a molecular weight in excess of 1,000,000, such as carboxypolymethylene, carboxyvinyl and ethylene maleic anhydride polymers.

Robinson U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,697, issued Oct. 7, 1986, discloses a controlled release composition and method of use based on a bioadhesive and a treating agent, such as an anti-inflammatory agent. The bioadhesive is a water-swellable, but water-insoluble, fibrous, cross-linked carboxy-functional polymer having a plurality of repeating units of which about 80 percent contain at least one carboxyl functionality and a cross-linking agent which is substantially free from polyalkenyl polyethers.

Davis et al copending application Ser. No. 07/544,518, filed Jun. 27, 1990 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,535 and assigned to the assignee hereof, describes formulation of lightly cross-linked polymers, preferably ones prepared by suspension or emulsion polymerizing at least about 90% by weight of a carboxyl-containing monoethylenically unsaturated monomer such as acrylic acid with from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of a polyfunctional, and preferably difunctional, cross-linking agent such as divinyl glycol (3,4- dihydroxy-1,5-hexadiene), having a particle size of not more than about 50 μm in equivalent spherical diameter, with an ophthalmic medicament, e.g., the steroid fluorometholone, into suspensions in aqueous medium in which the amount of polymer ranges from about 0.1% to about 6.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous suspension, the pH is from about 0 3.0 to about 6.5, and the osmotic pressure (osmolality or tonicity) is from about 10 mOsM to about 400 mOsM. These new topical ophthalmic medicament delivery systems have suitably low viscosities which permit them to be easily administered to the eye in drop form, and hence to be comfortably administered in consistent, accurate dosages. These suspensions will rapidly gel in the eye after coming into contact with the eye's tear fluid to a substantially greater viscosity than that of the originally-introduced suspension and thus remain in place for prolonged periods of time to provide sustained release of the ophthalmic medicament. See International Publication Number WO 92/00044 published Jan. 9, 1992, which claims priority from U.S. Ser. No. 07/544,518 and see also International Publication No. WO 89/06964, published Aug. 10, 1989, which claims the priority of the parent and grandparent applications upon which U.S. Ser. No. 07/544,518 is based.

It has not been heretofore suggested, however, that lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymers could be used to stabilize aminosteroids in pharmaceutical formulations. Furthermore, it has not been suggested that cyclodextrins and lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymers would be compatible with on another. It was also not known that aminosteroids disclosed in International Publication No. WO 87/01706 and great grandparent U.S. Ser. No. 07/537,062 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,154) would be compatible or stable with lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymers or the combination of such polymers with cyclodextrins.

Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides. The most common cyclodextrins are α-cyclodextrin, which is composed of a ring of six glucose residues; β-cyclodextrin, which is composed of a ring of seven glucose residues; and γ-cyclodextrin, which is composed of a ring of eight glucose units. The inside cavity of a cyclodextrin is lipophilic, while the outside of the cyclodextrin is hydrophilic; this combination of properties has led to widespread study of the natural cyclodextrins, particularly in connection with pharmaceuticals, and many inclusion complexes with drugs have been reported. β-Cyclodextrin has been of special interest because of its cavity size, but its relatively low aqueous solubility (about 1.8% w/v at 25° C.) and attendant nephrotoxicity have limited its use in the pharmaceutical field.

Attempts to modify properties of the natural cyclodextrins have resulted in the development of heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin, heptakis (2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin-epichlorohydrin polymer and others. For a comprehensive review of cyclodextrins and their use in pharmaceutical research, see Pitha et al, in Controlled Drug Delivery, ed. S. D. Bruck, Vol. I, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., 125-148 (1983). For an even more recent overview, see Uekama et at, in CRC Critical Reviews in Therapeutic: Drug Carrier Systems, Vol. 3 (1), 1-40 (1987); Uekama, in Topics in Pharmaceutical Sciences 1987, eds. D. D. Breimer and P. Speiser, Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. (Biomedical Division), 1987, 181-194; and Pagington, Chemistry in Britain, May 1987, 455-458.

Inclusion complexes of α-, β- or γ-cyclodextrin or their mixtures with a variety of drugs have been described by numerous parties and various advantages have been attributed to the complexes. These descriptions include those documents summarized in Bodor U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,983,586 and 5,024,998, incorporated by reference herein in their entireties and relied upon. Particular reference may be made to Lipari U.S. Pat. No. 4,383, 992, which describes inclusion complexes of β-cyclodextrin itself with a variety of steroidal hormones (corticosteroids, androgens, anabolic steroids, estrogens and progestagens). The complexes are said to have improved water solubility and increased therapeutic response in the eye. However, as noted above, β-cyclodextrin has low aqueous solubility (about 1.8% w/v at 25°) with attendant nephrotoxicity.

Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and its preparation by propylene oxide addition to β-cyclodextrin were described in Gramera et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,459,731 over 20 years ago. (Gramera et al also described the analogous preparation of hydroxyethyl-β-cyclodextrin by ethylene oxide reaction with β-cyclodextrin.) Much more recently, Pitha and co-workers have described the improved preparation of this cyclodextrin derivative and its effects on the dissolution of various drug molecules. Pitha U.S. Pat. No. 4,596,795, dated Jun. 24, 1986, describes inclusion complexes of sex hormones, particularly testosterone, progesterone and estradiol, with specific cyclodextrins, preferably hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and poly-βcyclodextrin. The complexes enable the sex hormones to be successfully delivered to the systemic circulation via the sublingual or buccal route; the effectiveness of this delivery is believed to be due to "the high dissolution power of hydrophilic derivatives of cyclodextrins, the non-aggregated structure of their complexes with steroids, and their low toxicity and irritancy of mouth tissue". Success with other cyclodextrins, including poly-γ-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin, have also been noted in the Pitha patent. See also Pitha et al, J. Pharm. Sci., Vol. 74, No. 9, September 1985, 987-990, concerning the same and related studies. Pitha et al also describe in the J. Pharm. Sci. publication the storage stability of tablets containing a testosterone/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin complex and the lack of toxicity of the cyclodextrin derivative itself, as well as the importance of the amorphous nature of the cyclodextrin derivatives and their complexes with drugs in improving dissolution properties.

The improved, optimized preparation and purification of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin has been described by Pitha et al, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 29, 73-82 (1986). In the same publication, the authors have described increased water solubility for 32 drugs in concentrated (40 to 50%) aqueous solutions of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin; among the drugs for which the authors have reported improved solubilization are dexamethasone, estradiol, estriol, ethinylestradiol-3-methyl ether, ethisterone, 17-methyltestosterone norethindrone, progesterone, spironolactone and testosterone. The authors indicated this to be an extension of their earlier work with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin which was previously found effective for oral administration of the sex hormones to humans. Their later work reported in Pitha et al, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 29, 73-82 (1986), has also been described in Pitha U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,064, dated Feb. 23, 1988. That patent claims a composition containing an amorphous complex of cyclodextrin and a drug, and a method of producing a stabilizing amorphous complex of a drug and a mixture of cyclodextrins comprising (1) dissolving an intrinsically amorphous mixture of cyclodextrin derivatives which are water soluble and capable of forming inclusion complexes with drugs in water; and (2) solubilizing lipophilic drugs into aqueous media to form a solution and form a solubilized drug/cyclodextrin complex. The patent describes the preparation of various substituted amorphous cyclodextrins, including hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin, the latter by analogous condensation of propylene oxide and γ-cyclodextrin.

Uekama et al, CRC Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, Vol. 3 (1), 1-40 (1987), have described the characteristics of various cyclodextrins, including hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. The authors have presented data showing improved solubilization in water in the presence of 15 mg/mL of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin for the drugs carmofur, diazepam, digitoxin, digoxin, flurbiprofen, indomethacin, isosorbide dinitrate, phenytoin, prednisolone, progesterone and testosterone. Uekama et al have indicated that cyclodextrins at sufficiently high concentrations cause hemolysis, and that the methylated cyclodextrins have higher hemolytic activity than the natural cyclodextrins. Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin is said to cause hemolysis beginning at 4.5 mM. The authors have further indicated that parenteral administration of large doses of cyclodextrins should be avoided, but that "γ-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin seem to be useful in drug solubilization for injections and liquid preparations used for mucous membranes."

JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICA N.V.'s International Patent Application No. PCT/EP84/00417, published under International Publication No. WO85/02767 on Jul. 4, 1985, has described pharmaceutical compositions comprising inclusion compounds of drugs, which are unstable or only sparingly soluble in water, with partially etherified-β-cyclodextrin derivatives having hydroxyalkyl and optionally additional alkyl groups. Among the cyclodextrin derivatives contemplated is hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, while the drugs include nonsteroidal anti-rheumatic agents, steroids, cardiac glycosides and derivatives of benzodiazepine, benzimidazole, piperidine, piperazine, imidazole and triazole. Pharmaceutical compositions described in WO 85/02767 include oral, parenteral and topical formulations, with 4 to 10% solutions of cyclodextrin derivatives being used to solubilize various drugs. Improved solubilities of indomethacin, digitoxin, progesterone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone and diazepam using 10% hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin are reported.

The preparation of amorphous water-soluble cyclodextrin derivatives, including 2-hydroxyethyl-β-cyclodextrin, 3-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and 2-hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin, is described by Irie et al, Pharmaceutical Research, Vol. 5, No. 11, 1988, 713-717. That report also addresses the distribution of the substituents among the glucose residues of the cyclodextrin ring.

A pharmaceutical evaluation of hydroxyalkyl ethers of β-cyclodextrin has been reported by Yoshida et at, International Journal of Pharmaceutics 46, 1988, 217-222. Aqueous solubilities, surface activities, hemolytic activity and local irritancy are reported. The data suggest that hydroxyalkyl-β-cyclodextrins overcome many of the undesirable characteristics of β-cyclodextrin usage in pharmaceuticals.

JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICA N.V.'s European Patent Application No. 86200334.0, published under EPO Publication No. 0197571 on Oct. 15, 1986, describes γ-cyclodextrin derivatives which are γ-cyclodextrin substituted with C₁ -C₆ alkyl, hydroxy C₁ -C₆ alkyl, carboxy C₁ -C₆ alkyl or C₁ -C₆ alkyloxycarbonyl C₁ -C₆ alkyl or mixed ethers thereof. Among the specific derivatives named are hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin and hydroxyethyl-γ-cyclodextrin. Compositions comprising the cyclodextrin derivatives and a drug are also described. See also corresponding Muller U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,604, dated Aug. 16, 1988.

Uekama, in Topics in Pharmaceutical Sciences 1987, eds. D. D. Breimer and P. Speiser, Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. (Biomedical Division), 1987, 181-194, has described the effects on bio-pharmaceutical properties of maltosyl and glucosyl cyclodextrin derivatives, as well as hydroxypropyl and other hydrophilic cyclodextrin derivatives, including enhanced drug absorption. The mechanism of enhancing drug absorption is described and the apparent stability constants for inclusion complexes of various drags with β-cyclodextrin, dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin, hydropropyl-β-cyclodextrin and maltosyl -β-cyclodextrin are given. Drugs studied with these cyclodextrins include prednisolone, progesterone, spironolactone and testosterone.

Koizumi et al, Chem. Pharm. Bull. 35 (8), 3413-3418 (1987), have reported on inclusion complexes of poorly water-soluble drugs with glucosyl cyclodextrins, namely 6-O-α-D-glucosyl-α-CD (G₁ -α-CD), 6-O-α-D-glucosyl-β-CD (G₁ -β-CD) and 6A, 6^(D) -di-O-α-D-glucosyl-β-CD (2G₁ -β-CD).

Okada et al, Chem. Pharm. Bull. 36(6), 2176-2185 (1988), have reported on the inclusion complexes of poorly water-soluble drugs with maltosyl cyclodextrins, namely 6-O-α-maltosyl-α-CD (G₂ -α-CD), 6-O-α-maltosyl-β-CD (G₂ -β-CD), 6-O-α-maltosyl-γ-CD (G₂ -γ-CD), 6-O-α-maltotriosyl-α-CD (G₃ -α-CD), 6-O-α-maltotriosyl-β-CD (G₃ -β-CD) and 6-O-α-maltotriosyl-γ-CD (G₃ -γ-CD).

Yamamoto et al, in International Journal of Pharmaceutics 49, 163-171 (1989), have described physicochemical properties of branched β-cyclodextrins such as glucosyl-β-cyclodextrin, maltosyl-β-cyclodextrin and dimaltosyl-β-cyclodextrin, and their inclusion characteristics. Those authors report that the branched β-cyclodextrins are better solubilizers for poorly water-soluble drugs and have less hemolytic activity than β-cyclodextrin itself, and they suggest that glucosyl-β-cyclodextrin and maltosyl-β-cyclodextrin may be especially useful in parenteral preparations.

The patent literature reflects much recent work on the branched cyclodextrins carried out by Japanese workers, as discussed below.

Japanese Kokai 63-135402 (TOKUYAMA SODA KK), published Jun. 7, 1988, describes compositions consisting of maltosyl-β-cyclodextrin and at least one of digitoxin, nifedipine, flurubiprophen, isosorbide nitrate, phenytoin, progesterone or testosterone. The compositions have improved water solubility and reduced erythrocyte destruction, are safe for humans and can be used as injections, eye drops, syrups, and for topical and mucous membrane application.

Japanese Kokai 62-281855 (DAIKIN KOGYO KK), published Dec. 7, 1987, describes stable, water-soluble inclusion compounds of maltosyl-β-cyclodextrin with a variety of vitamins and hormones, e.g. steroid hormones such as prednisolone, hydrocortisone and estriol. These lipophilic vitamins and hormones can thus be used as aqueous solutions.

Japanese Kokai 63-036793 (NIKKEN CHEM KK), published Feb. 17, 1988, describes the preparation of dimaltosyl-γ-cyclodextrin and its general use in medicines.

Japanese Kokai 62-106901 (NIKKEN CHEM KK), published May 18, 1987, describes the preparation of diglucosyl-β-cyclodextrin and its general use for pharmaceuticals.

Japanese Kokai 61-236802 (NIKKEN CHEM KK), published Oct. 22, 1986, describes the preparation of maltosyl-γ-cyclodextrin and its general use with drugs.

Japanese Kokai 61-197602 (NIKKEN CHEM KK), published Sep. 1, 1986, describes the preparation of maltosyl-β-cyclodextrin and its expected use in medicines.

Japanese Kokai 61-070996 (NIKKEN CHEM KK), published Apr. 11, 1986, describes the preparation of maltosyl-α-cyclodextrin and its general use in pharmaceuticals.

Japanese Kokai 63-027440 (SANRAKU OCEAN), published Feb. 5, 1988, describes compositions containing a water-insoluble or slightly soluble drug together with glucosylated branched cyclodextrin. Among the drags mentioned are steroid hormones.

Japanese Kokai 62-164701 (SHOKUHIN SANGYO BIO), published Jul. 21, 1987, describes the preparation of diglucosyl-α-cyclodextrin and its general use in medicine.

Japanese Kokai 62-003795 (TOKUYAMA SODA KK), published Jan. 9, 1987, describes production of glucose and maltoligosaccharide (2-4 glucose units) derivatives of α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrin and their use as stabilizers for pharmaceuticals.

Bodor U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,002,935, issued Mar. 26, 1991,. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,566, issued May 21, 1991, relate to stabilizing the reduced, dihydropyridine forms of dihydropyridine⃡pyridinium salt redox systems for brain-targeted drug delivery by complexation with cyclodextrin selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl, hydroxyethyl, glucosyl, maltosyl and maltotriosyl derivatives of β- and γ-cyclodextrins. The complexes also provide a means for increasing the ratio of initial brain to lung concentrations of drug, leading to decreased toxicity. In selected instances, improved water solubilities are noted as well. In a preferred aspect, the redox system is a redox carrier system and the reduced, dihydropyridine form can be represented by the formula [D-DHC] wherein [D] is a centrally acting drug species and [DHC] is the reduced, biooxidizable, blood-brain barrier penetrating, lipoidal form of a dihydropyridine⃡pyridinium salt redox carrier. The "centrally acting" drug species is broadly defined and includes many classes of drugs, including steroids and, specifically, anti-inflammatory adrenal cortical steroids such as hydrocortisone, betamethesone, cortisone, dexamethasone, flumethasone, fluprednisolone, meprednisone, methyl prednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, triamicinolone, cortodoxone, fludrocortisone, flurandrenolone acetonide (flurandrenolide), paramethasone and the like. The "dihydropyridine carrier" or "[DHC]" is defined as any nontoxic carder moiety comprising, containing or including the dihydropyridine nucleus, the only criterion being capacity for BBB penetration and in vivo oxidation to the corresponding quaternary pyridium salt. Among the specific redox carder drugs for complexation with cyclodextrins in accord with the Bodor patents are a number of steroid derivatives, including the derivatives of dexamethasone and hydrocortisone shown below: ##STR1##

The aforenoted Bodor patents propose complexation with the specific cyclodextrin derivatives named in the preceding paragraph as a means for overcoming the stability problems from which the dihydropyridine-containing redox compounds suffer; the patents note that even in the dry state, the redox compounds are very sensitive to oxidation as well as to water addition. Such complexation is also proposed in the Bodor patents as a means for providing better brain to lung ratios of the redox compounds by preventing their precipitation out of solution at the injection site or in the lungs. Successful solubilization of a number of redox compounds is noted; however, Bodor indicates that such results are not universal. For example, in the case of estradiol, the redox derivative has about the same solubility in aqueous 50% hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin as has the parent drug; in the case of norethindrone, the redox drug has less than 1% of the solubility in aqueous 50% hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin displayed by the parent drug.

Bodor U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,586, issued Jan. 8, 1991, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,998, issued Jun. 18, 1991, relate to pharmaceutical formulations for parenteral use. Aqueous parenteral solutions of drugs which are insoluble or only sparingly soluble in water and/or which are unstable in water, combined with cyclodextrin selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl, hydroxyethyl, glucosyl, maltosyl and maltotriosyl derivatives of β- and γ-cyclodextrins, provide a means for alleviating problems associated with drug precipitation at the injection site and/or in the lungs or other organs following parenteral administration. The parenteral solutions contain from about 20% to about 50% of the selected cyclodextrin(s). The drugs may be the dihydropyridine forms of dihydropyridine⃡pyridinium salt redox systems (as noted above in connection with the Bodor '935 and '566 patents) or other poorly soluble or unstable drugs of many types, including steroids. Anti-inflammatory steroids such as dexamethasone, hydrocortisone and prednisolone are mentioned.

Recently, the solubilizing and stabilizing effects of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) on drugs have been reviewed by Thorsteinn Loftsson, Pharm. Ztg. Wiss, 4/136: 5-10 (1991). Solubility enhancement for many drugs in water has been accomplished by means of complexation with HPβCD. The solubility of dexamethasone was increased 5,500 times and intravenous administration of the dexamethasone-HPβCD complex gave higher initial plasma levels of dexamethasone than those obtained after dexamethasone phosphate dosing. The authors further note that transdermal/topical nonocclusive aqueous vehicle systems are suggested to avoid side-effects of occlusive systems, and that the improved water solubility of many lipophilic drugs in aqueous HPβCD solutions makes the nonocclusive systems possible. Transdermal delivery of the steroids 17β-estradiol, hydrocortisone and testosterone in aqueous HPβCD solutions have been reported. See also Loftsson et at, Acta Pharm. Nord. 1(4), 185-193 (1989), which describes the effects of 2-hydroxypropyl -β-cyclodextrin on the aqueous solubility of drugs, including dexamethasone, and the transdermal delivery of 17β-estradiol. It has also been suggested that the hydroxy-propyl derivatives of betacyclodextrin could be useful in solubilizing amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents of the type disclosed in the aforementioned International Publication No. WO 87/01706 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,154.

It has not been heretofore suggested, however, that hydroxyalkylated or branched cyclodextrin derivatives could be advantageously combined with lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymers in pharmaceutical formulations of amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents of the type disclosed in the aforementioned International Publication No. WO 87/01706 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,154 to afford remarkably stable compositions whose drug release rate could be finely controlled.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a method for stabilizing amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents in topical ophthalmic and other pharmaceutical formulations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for stabilizing and partially or totally solubilizing amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents in topical ophthalmic and other pharmaceutical formulations.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an alternative method for stabilizing and solubilizing amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents in topical ophthalmic and other pharmaceutical formulations.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide topical ophthalmic and other pharmaceutical formulations of amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents which have enhanced stability.

A further object of the present invention is to provide topical ophthalmic and other pharmaceutical formulations of amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents in which the degree of solubility of the steroid can be effectively controlled.

Another object of the present invention is to provide pharmaceutical formulations of amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents suitable for administration by the various routes and for the various therapeutic purposes by and for which the steroid itself has been previously described.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to reduce the irritation potential of amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents.

In accord with the foregoing, the present invention provides a method for stabilizing an amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agent in a pharmaceutical formulation, said method comprising combining an amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of the C₂₀ through C₂₆ aminosteroids of the formula XI hereinbelow, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates and solvates thereof, with an effective stabilizing amount of lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymer in an aqueous medium.

The present invention further provides a method for stabilizing and solubilizing an amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agent in a pharmaceutical formulation, said method comprising combining an amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of the C₂₀ through C₂₆ aminosteroids of the formula XI hereinbelow, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates and solvates thereof, in an aqueous medium with an effective stabilizing amount of lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymer and an amount of cyclodextrin sufficient to at least partially solubilize said therapeutic agent, said cyclodextrin being selected from the group consisting of the hydroxypropyl, hydroxyethyl, glucosyl, maltosyl and maltotriosyl derivatives of β- and γ-cyclodextrin.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of the C₂₀ through C₂₆ aminosteroids of the formula XI hereinbelow, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates and solvates thereof, and an effective stabilizing amount of lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymer, in an aqueous medium.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of the C₂₀ through C₂₆ aminosteroids of the formula XI hereinbelow, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates and solvates thereof, an effective stabilizing amount of lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymer and an amount of cyclodextrin sufficient to at least partially solubilize said therapeutic agent, in an aqueous medium, said cyclodextrin being selected from the group consisting of the hydroxypropyl, hydroxyethyl, glucosyl, maltosyl and maltotriosyl derivatives of-β- and γ-cyclodextrin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In all aspects of the present invention, the amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents employed herein are the C₂₀ through C₂₆ aminosteroids of formula XI (especially those which exhibit antioxidant functions), as set forth in International Publication No. WO 87/01706 and in applicants' parent Ser. No. 07/933,574 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,426, and grandparent Ser. No. 07/838,875, now abandoned, and great grandparent Ser. No. 07/537,062 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,154), all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties and relied upon. The intended aminosteroids have the formula ##STR2## where:

(A-I) R₆ is α-R₆₁ :β-R₆₂, R₁₀ is α-R₁₀₁ :β-R₁₀₂ and R₇ is α-H:β-H, where one of R₆₁ and R₆₂ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, or C₁ -C₃ alkyl, R₁₀₂ is --CH₃, R₁₀₁ and R₅ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(--R₃₃)--CH═ or --CH--CH--CO--CH═, where R₃₃ is ═O or α-H:β-OR₃₄ or α-OR₃₄ :β-H, where R₃₄ is --H, --P(═O)(OH)₂, --CO--CH₃, --CO--C₂ H₅, --CO--C₆ H₅, --CO--O--CH₃ or --CO--O--C₂ H₅ ;

(A-II) R₅ is α-R₅₃ :β-R₅₄, R₆ is α-R₆₃ : β-R₆₄, R₁₀ is α-R₁₀₃ :β-R₁₀₄ and R₇ is α-H:β--H, where one of R₆₃ and R₆₄ is H, and the other taken together with one of R₅₃ and R₅₄ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₄ is --CH₃, R₁₀₃ and the other of R₅₃ and R₅₄ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(H)(OH)--CH₂ -- or --(CH₂)₂ --C[H][OP(═O )--(OH)₂ ]--CH₂ --;

(A-III) R₁₀ and R₅ taken together are ═CH--CH═C(OR₃)--CH═ where R₃ is --H, --P(═O)(OH)₂, C₁ -C₃ alkyl, --CO--H, C₂ -C₄ alkanoyl or benzyl, R₆ is α-R₆₅ :β-R₆₆ where one of R₆₅ and R₆₆ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, or C₁ -C₃ alkyl and R₇ is α-H:β-H;

(A-IV) R₅ is α-R₅₇ β-R₅₈ :β-R₅₈, R₆ is α-R₆₇ :β-R₆₈, R₇ is α-H: β-H and R₁₀ is α-R₁₀₇ :β-R₁₀₈, where one of R₅₇ and R₅₈ is --H, R₁₀₇ and the other of R₅₇ and R₅₈ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C═R₃₃)--CH₂, where R₃₃ is as defined above, R₁₀₈ is --CH₃, where one of R₆₇ and R₆₈ is --H and the other is --H, --F, or C₁ -C₃ alkyl;

(A-V) R₆ is R₆₉ :R₆₁₀, R₇ is R₇₉ :R₇₁₀, R₁₀ is αR₁₀₉ :R₁₀₁₀, where one of R₆₉ and R₆₁₀ is --H and the other taken together with one of R₇₉ and R₇₁₀ forms a second bond between C₆ and C₇, and the other of R₇₉ and R₇₁₀ is --H, R₁₀₁₀ is --CH₃, R₁₀₉ and R₅ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₃)--CH═ or --CH═CH--CO--CH═, where R₃₃ is as defined above; where:

(C-I) R₁₁ is α-R₁₁₁ :β-R₁₁₂, where one of R₁₁₁ and R₁₁₂ is taken together with R₉ to form a second bond between C₉ and C₁₁ and the other of R₁₁₁ and R₁₁₂ is --H;

(C-II) R₉ is --Cl and R₁₁ is ═O or α-H:β-R₁₁₄ where R₁₁₄ is --Cl or --OH;

(C-III) R₉ is --H or --F and R₁₁ is ═O or α-R₁₁₅ :β-R₁₁₆, where one of R₁₁₅ and R₁₁₆ is --H, and the other of R₁₁₅ and R₁₁₆ is --H, --OH or C₁ -C₁₂ alkoxy;

(C-IV) R₉ is --H or --F and R₁₁ is α-O--CO--R₁₁₇ :β-H, where R₁₁₇ is

(A) C₁ -C₃ alkyl,

(B) C₁ -C₁₂ alkoxy,

(C) furanyl,

(D) --NR₁₂₂ R₁₂₃, where one of R₁₂₂ and R₁₂₃ is --H, methyl or ethyl and the other is --H, C₁ -C₄ alkyl or phenyl,

(E) --X₃ --X₁, where X₃ is --O-- or a valence bond, where X₁ is phenyl optionally substituted with 1 through 2 --Cl, --Br, C₁ -C₃ alkoxy, --COOH, --NH₂, C₁ -C₃ alkylamino, di(C₁ -C₃)alkylamino, where the alkyl groups are the same or different, 1-pyrrolidinyl-, 1-piperidinyl, 1-hexamethylenimino-, 1-heptamethylenimino-, C₂ -C₄ acylamino and --NH--CHO or with 1 --F or --CF₃ ;

where:

(D-I) R₁₆ is R₁₆₁ :R₁₆₂ and R₁₇ is R₁₇₁ :R₁₇₂, where one of R₁₆₁ and R₁₆₂ is --H or --CH₃ and the other taken together with one of R₁₇₁ and R₁₇₂ forms a second bond between C₁₆ and C₁₇, and the other of R₁₇₁ and R₁₇₂ is --C(═Z)--(CH₂)_(n) --NR₂₁ R₂₁₀, where Z is ═O, ═CH₂ or R₁₇₉ :--H where R₁₇₉ is --H or --CH₃, where n is 0 through 6, where

(A) R₂₁ is

(1) --(CH₂)_(m) --NR₂₁₁ --X₂, where m is 2, 3 or 4, where R₂₁₁ is --H or C₁ -C₃ alkyl, where X₂ is: [A]

(a) pyridin-2-, 3- or 4-yl or the N-oxide thereof optionally substituted by 1 or 2 R₂₁₂, being the same or different, where R₂₁₂ is

(i) --F,

(ii) --Cl,

(iii) --Br,

(iv) C₁ -C₅ alkyl,

(v) --CH₂ --CH═CH₂,

(vi) --X₁, where X₁ is as defined above,

(vii) --NR₂₁₃ R₂₁₃ where the R₂₁₃ 's are the same or different and are --H, C₁ -C₃ alkyl or --CH₂ --CH═CH₂,

(viiiα) *CH₂ --(CH₂)_(q) --CH₂ --N*-- where the atoms marked with an asterisk (*) are bonded to each other resulting in the formation of a ring, where q is 1 through 5,

(viiiβ) *CH₂ --CH₂ --(CH₂)_(c) --G--CH₂)_(d) --CH₂ --CH₂ --N*-- where the atoms marked with an asterisk (*) are bonded to each other resulting in the formation of a ring, where G is --O--, --S--, --SO--, --SO₂ -- or --NHR₂₁₄, where R₂₁₄ is --H, C₁ -C₃ alkyl, or X₁ as defined above, where c and d are the same or different and are 0 through 2 with the proviso that the total number of ring carbon atoms is 4, 5 or 6, [a]

(ix) 3-pyrrolin-1-yl, [b]

(x) pyrrol-1-yl optionally substituted with C₁ -C₃ [c]

(xi) piperidin-1-yl optionally substituted with 1 or 2 C₁ -C₃ alkyl, [d]

(xii) 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-1-yl, [e]

(xiii) 1-hexamethyleneimino containing a 3- or 4- double bond or 3- and 5-double bonds, [f]

(xiv) 1,4-dihydro-1-pyridinyl substituted in the 4 position by two C₁ -C₃ alkyl being the same or different, [g]

(xv) --OH,

(xvi) C₁ -C₃ alkoxy,

(xvii) --NR₂₁₇ --(CH₂)_(e) --Q where Q is 2-pyridinyl where R₂₁₇ is --H or C₁ -C₃ alkyl and e is 0 through 3 (1)

(xviii) pyridin-2-, 3- or 4-yl,

(b) 1,3,5-triazin-4-yl or the N-oxide thereof optionally substituted at the 2- and/or 6- position with R₂₁₂ as is defined above, (4)

(c) pyrimidin-4-yl or the N-oxide thereof optionally substituted at the 2- and/or 6- position with R₂₁₂ as is defined above, (5)

(d) pyrimidin-2-yl optionally substituted at the 4- and/or 6- position with 1 or 2 R₂₁₂ as is defined above, (6)

(e) pyrazin-2-yl optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R₂₁₂ as is defined above, (7)

(f) imidazol-2-yl optionally substituted in the 1 position with C₁ -C₃ alkyl or --X₁, where X₁ is as defined above, and further optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R₂₁₂ as defined above, (8)

(g) 1,3,4-triazol-2-yl optionally substituted in the 1 position with C₁ -C₃ alkyl or --X₁, where X₁ is as defined above, and further optionally substituted with R₂₁₂ as defined above, (9)

(h) imidazol-4- or 5-yl optionally substituted in the 1 position with C₁ -C₃ alkyl or --X₁, where X₁ is as defined above, and further optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R₂₁₂ as defined above, (10)

(i) benzo[b]thien-2-yl, (12a)

(j) indol-2-yl, (12b)

(k) benzo[b]thiazol-2-yl, (12c)

(l) benzimidazol-2-yl, (12d)

(m) 4-[2-[4-[2,6-bis(1-pyrrolidinyl)-4- pyrimidinyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]piperazinyl,

(n) 1,2,4-triazin-3-yl optionally substituted at the 5- and/or 6- position with R₂₁₂ as is defined above, (14)

(2) (1-piperazinyl)-(C₂ -C₄)alkyl optionally substituted in the 4- position with --X₁ or --X₂ as defined above, [B]

(3) --X₂, as defined above, [O]

(4) --(CH₂)_(m) --X₄ where m is as defined above and where X₄ is

(a) --O--CH₂ CH₂ --Y, where Y is C₁ -C₃ alkylamino, di(C₁ -C₃)alkylamino where the alkyl groups are the same or different, C₃ -C₆ alkyleneimino, optionally substituted with 1 or 2 C₁ -C₃ alkyl,

(b) --NR₂₂₀ CH₂ CH₂ --Y, where R₂₂₀ is --H or C₁ -C₃ alkyl and Y is as defined above,

(c) --(CH₂)_(g) --N(R₂₂₀)--X₂, where g is 2, 3 or 4, and where R₂₂₀ and X₂ are as defined above, [H]

(5) --(CH₂)_(m) --NR₂₂₂ R₂₂₃, where R₂₂₂ is --H or C₁ -C₃ alkyl and R₂₂₃ is --X₁ or --X₂ as defined above, or R₂₂₂ and R₂₂₃ are taken together with the attached nitrogen atom to form a saturated mono-nitrogen C₃ -C₆ heterocyclic ring and where m is as defined above, [I]

(6) --(CHCH₃)_(b) --(CH₂)_(f) --R₂₂₄, where b is 0 and f is 1 through 3 or b is one and f is 0 through 3, where R₂₂₄ is phenyl substituted with 1 through 3 --OH, C₁ -C₃ alkoxy, --NR₂₂₅ R₂₂₆ where R₂₂₅ and R₂₂₆ are the same or different and are --H, C₁ -C₃ alkyl or are taken together with the attached nitrogen atom to form a C₄ -C₇ cyclic amino ring, [J]

(7) --(CH₂)_(i) --X₂, where i is 1 through 4 and X₂ is as defined above, [K]

(8) (1-piperazinyl)acetyl substituted in the 4-position by X₂ where X₂ is as defined above, [L]

(9) (1-piperazinyl)carbonylmethyl substituted in the 4- position by --X₂ where X₂ is as defined above, and [M]

(B) R₂₁₀ is

(1) --H,

(2) C₁ -C₃ alkyl,

(3) C₅ -C₇ cycloalkyl,

(4) --(CH₂)_(m) NR₂₁₁ --X₂, where m, R₂₁₁ and X₂ are as defined above, [A]

(5) (1-piperazinyl)-(C₂ -C₄)alkyl optionally substituted in the 4- position with --X_(or) --X₂ as defined above, [B]

(6) --(CH₂)_(m) --X₄, where m and X₄ are as defined above, [H]

(7) --(CH₂)_(m) --NR₂₂₂ R₂₂₃, where m, R₂₂₂ and R₂₂₃ are as defined above, [I]

(8) --(CHCH₃)_(b) --(CH₂)_(f) --R₂₂₄, where b, f and R₂₂₄ are as defined above, [J]

(C) R₂₁ and R₂₁₀ are taken together with the attached nitrogen atom to form a heterocyclic ring selected from the group consisting of

(1) 2-(carboxy)-1-pyrrolidinyl optionally as the C₁ -C₃ alkyl ester or as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, [C-1]

(2) 2-(carboxy)1-piperidinyl optionally as the C₁ -C₃ alkyl ester or as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt [C-2]

(3) 2-(carboxy)-1-hexamethyleneimino optionally as the C₁ -C₃ alkyl ester or as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, [C-3]

(4) 2-(carboxy)1-heptamethyleneimino optionally as the C₁ -C₃ alkyl ester or as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, [C-4]

(5) 1-piperazinyl substituted in the 4- position with R₂₂₈ --CO--(CH₂)_(j) -- where R₂₂₈ is --X₁, --NR₂₂₉ X₁ or 2-furanyl, where R₂₂₉ is --H or C₁ -C₃ alkyl, where j is 0 through 3 and X₁ is as defined above, [D]

(6) 1-piperazinyl substituted in the 4- position with X₂ --(CH₂)_(j) --, where X₂ and j are as defined above, [E]

(7) 1-piperazinyl substituted in the 4- position with X₁ --(CH₂)j--, where X₁ and j are as defined above, [F]

(8) 4-hydroxy1-piperidinyl substituted in the 4- position with X₁ as defined above, [G]

(9) 1-piperazinyl substituted in the 4- position with X₂ --NR₂₂₉ --CO--(CH₂)_(i) --, where X₂, R₂₂₉ and i are as defined above; [N]

(D-II) R₁₆ is α-R₁₆₃ :β-R₁₆₄ where one of R₁₆₃ and R₁₆₄ is --H and the other is --H, --F, --CH₃ or --OH, and R₁₇ is --CH-(CH₂)_(p) --NR₂₁ R₂₁₀, where p is 1 or 2, where R₂₁ and R₂₁₀ are as defined above;

(D-III) R₁₆ is α-R₁₆₅ :β-R₁₆₆ and R₁₇ is α-R₁₇₅ :β-R₁₇₆, where R₁₆₅ is --H, --OH, --F or --CH₃ and R₁₆₆ is --H, --OH, --F, or --CH₃, with the proviso that at least one of R₁₆₅ and R₁₆₆ is --H, where R₁₇₅ is --H, --OH, --CH₃, --CH₂ CH₃, C₂ -C₇ alkanoyloxy or --O--CO--X₁, where X₁ is as defined above, and where R₁₇₆ is --C(═Z)--(CH₂)n--NR₂₁ R₂₁₀, where Z, n, R₂₁ and R₂₁₀ are as defined above;

(D-IV) the 16, 17-acetonide of a compound where R₁₆₅ is --OH, R₁₆₆ is --H, R₁₇₅ is --OH and R₁₇₆ is --C(═Z)--(CH₂)_(n) --NR₂₁ R₂₁₀, where Z, n, --R₂₁ and R₂₁₀ are as defined above;

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof,

and hydrates and solvates thereof;

with the following overall provisos that:

(I) one of R₁₆₁ or R₁₆₂ is taken together with one of R₁₇₁ or R₁₇₂ to form a second bond between C₁₆ and C₁₇, only when R₁₀ is α-R₁₀₁ :β-R₁₀₂, α-R₁₀₃ :β-R₁₀₄, α-R₁₀₇ :β-R₁₀₈ or α-R₁₀₉ :β-R₁₀₁₀,

(II) R₁₇ is --CH--(CH₂)_(p) --NR₂₁ R₂₁₀, only when R₁₀ is α-R₁₀₁ :β-R₁₀₂, a-R₁₀₃ :β-R₁₀₄, α-R₁₀₇ :β-R₁₀₈ or α-R₁₀₉ :β-R₁₀₁₀,

(III) R₅ and R₁₀ taken together are ═CH--CH═C(OR₃)--CH ═, only when R₁₇ is α-R₁₇₅ :β-R₁₇₆ or the 16, 17-acetonide of a compound where R₁₆ is α-OH:β-H and R₁₇ is α-OH:β-C(═Z)--(CH₂)_(n) --NR₂₁ R₂₁₀, and

(IV) R₅ is α-R₅₇ :β-R₅₈, only when R₁₇ is α-R₁₇₅ :β-R₁₇₆ or α-OH:β-C--(═Z)--(CH₂)_(n) --NR₂₁ R₂₁₀, or the 16,17-acetonide thereof.

More preferred are the C₂₁ aminosteroids of formula XI, especially those which inhibit lipid peroxidation. Most preferred are the 21-[4-(substituted-4-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl]-steroids, such as U-74006 (21-[4-(2,6-dipyrrolidinyl-4-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl]-16α-methylpregna-1,4,9(11)-triene-3,20-dione), and the 21-[4-(substituted-2-pyridinyl)-1-piperazinyl]steroids such as U-74500 (21-[4-[5,6-bis(diethylamino)-2-pyridinyl]-1-piperazinyl]-16α-methylpregna-1,4,9(11-triene-3,20-dione) and U-75412 (21-[4-(3-ethylamino-2-pyridinyl)-1-piperazinyl]-16α-methylpregna-1,4,9(11)-triene-3,20dione), all, when in the unformulated state, preferably as a solid, preferably crystalline, preferably relatively non-hygroscopic and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, such as the methanesulfonate salt of U74006 (U-74006F), the hydrochloride of U-74500 (U-74500A), and the hydrochloride or maleic acid salt of U-75412 (U-75412A and U-75412E, respectively); See Braughler et al, Biochemical Pharmacology 37: 3853-3860 (1988). The following are illustrative structures. ##STR3##

The above-preferred amino steroids are all exemplified as 21-substituted-16α-methylpregna-1,4,9(11)-triene-3,20-diones. However, the steroidal portion of these may be modified without substantially altering their preferred nature. Thus, a class of preferred C₂₁ amino-substituted steroids may be represented by the formula I, below ##STR4## where: a' is selected from the group 1,2-dihydro (saturated) and 1,2-dehydro (1,2-double bond);

b' is selected from the group 6α-H, 6α-methyl and 6α-fluoro;

c' is selected from the group 9, 11-dihydro (saturated), 9(11)-dehydro (double bond), 9α-H-11α-OH-11β-H, 9α-H-11β-OH-11α-H, 9α-H-11-keto, 9α-F-11β-OH-11α-H and 9α-F-11-keto;

d' is selected from the group 16α-methyl-16β-H-17α-H, 16β-methyl-16α-H-17α-H, 16-H₂ -17α-H, 16-H-16,17-dehydro (double bond), and 16-methyl-16,17dehydro. Less preferably, a 17α-OH group can be present instead of 17α-H when d' is not 16-H-16,17-dehydro or 16-methyl-16,17-dehydro;

and where:

X' is selected from the complex 21-amino substituents X1' and X2' where X1' is ##STR5## and X2' is ##STR6## where e' and f' may be the same or different and are selected from the group: H, NHR1' and NR1'R2', where R1' and R2' are C1 to C3 lower alkyl or R1' and R2', taken together with N, constitute a heterocyclic ring; preferably 1-ethyleneimino, 1-trimethyleneimino, 1-pyrrolidinyl, 1-piperidinyl, 1-morpholinyl and 1-(4-methyl)piperazinyl.

It is within the ability of those skilled in the art to determine without undue experimentation which of the foregoing aminosteroids will function as antioxidant agents. International Publication No. WO 87/01706 indicates that the arachidonic acid LD₅₀ test of Kohler, Thrombosis Res., 9, 67 (1976) identifies compounds which are antioxidants, and the publication also references Pryor in Methods of Enzymology, 105, 293 (1984) for another method useful for determining which particular compounds inhibit lipid peroxidation.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the aminosteroids of formula (XI) are frequently preferred over the free base form because the salts are more soluble in water and form crystals which are better suited to pharmaceutical use. Preferred salts are those prepared by reacting the free base of the aminosteroid of formula (XI) with an approximately stoichiometrical amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable acid such as hydrochloric, hydroiodiic, hydrobromic, phosphoric, sulfuric, acetic, citric, lactic, succinic, benzoic, pamoic, salicylic, cyclohexanesulfamic, methanesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, naphthalenesulfonic, maleic, oxalic, fumaric or the like. Preferred salts are those of hydrochloric, methanesulfonic, maleic and fumaric acids.

Equivalent to the steroids of formula (XI) and their pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts for the purposes of this invention are the pharmaceutically acceptable hydrates or solvates thereof, in which form they can be isolated.

The lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymers for use in the present invention are lightly cross-linked polymers of acrylic acid or the like and are, in general, well-known in the art. See, for example, Robinson U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,697, and International Publication No. WO 89/06964, referred to hereinabove. These polymers are also described in Davis et al copending application Ser. No. 07/544,518, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,535.

In a preferred embodiment, suitable polymers are ones prepared from at least about 90% and preferably from about 95% to about 99.9% by weight, based on the total weight of monomers present, of one or more carboxyl-containing monoethylenically unsaturated monomers. Acrylic acid is the preferred carboxyl-containing monoethylenically unsaturated monomer, but other unsaturated, polymerizable carboxyl-containing monomers, such as methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, β-methylacrylic acid (crotonic acid), cis-α-methylcrotonic acid (angelic acid), trans-α-methylcrotonic acid (tiglic acid), α-butylcrotonic acid, α-phenylacrylic acid, α-benzylacrylic acid, α-cyclohexylacrylic acid, β-phenylacrylic acid (cinnamic acid), coumaric acid (o-hydroxycinnamic acid), umbellic acid (p-hydroxycoumaric acid), and the like can be used in addition to or instead of acrylic acid.

Such polymers are cross-linked by using a small percentage, i.e., less than about 5%, such as from about 0.01% or from about 0.5% to about 5%, and preferably from about 0.2% to about 3%, based on the total weight of monomers present, of a polyfunctional cross-linking agent. Included among such cross-linking agents are non-polyalkenyl polyether difunctional cross-linking monomers such as divinyl glycol; 3,4-dihydroxy-hexa-1,5-diene; 2,5-dimethyl-1,5-hexadiene; divinylbenzene; N,N-diallylacrylamide; N,N-diallylmethacrylamide and the like. Also included are polyalkenyl polyether cross-linking agents containing two or more alkenyl ether groupings per molecule, preferably alkenyl ether groupings containing terminal H₂ C═C < groups, prepared by etherifying a polyhydric alcohol containing at least four carbon atoms and at least three hydroxyl groups with an alkenyl halide such as allyl bromide or the like, e.g., polyallyl sucrose, polyallyl pentaerythritol, or the like; see, e.g., Brown U.S. Pat. No. 2,798,053. Diolefinic non-hydrophilic macromeric crosslinking agents having molecular weights of from about 400 to about 8,000, such as insoluble di- and polyacrylates and methacrylates of diols and polyols, diisocyanate-hydroxyalkyl acrylate or methacrylate reaction products, and reaction products of isocyanate terminated prepolymers derived from polyester diols, polyether diols or polysiloxane diols with hydroxyalkylmethacrylates, and the like, can also be used as the cross-linking agents; see, e.g., Mueller et al U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,192,827 and 4,136,250.

The lightly cross-linked polymers can of course be made from a carboxyl-containing monomer or monomers as the sole monoethylenically unsaturated monomer present, together with a cross-linking agent or agents. They can also be polymers in which up to about 40%, and preferably from about 0% to about 20% by weight, of the carboxyl-containing monoethylenically unsaturated monomer or monomers has been replaced by one or more non-carboxyl-containing monoethylenically unsaturated monomers containing only physiologically (and, where appropriate, ophthalmologically) innocuous substituents, including acrylic and methacrylic acid esters such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexylacrylate, octyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate, 3-hydroxypropylacrylate, and the like, vinyl acetate, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and the like; see Mueller et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,990 for a more extensive listing of such additional monoethylenically unsaturated monomers. Particularly preferred polymers are lightly cross-linked acrylic acid polymers wherein the cross-linking monomer is 3,4-dihydroxyhexa-1,5-diene or 2,5-dimethylhexa-1,5-diene.

An especially preferred lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymer for use herein is polycarbophil, particularly NOVEON AA1, a carboxyl-containing polymer prepared by suspension polymerizing acrylic acid and divinyl glycol. NOVEON AA1 (also called Carbopol 976) is commercially available from The B. F. Goodrich Company. A different preferred lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymer for use herein is Carbopol 974P which is prepared using a different polyfunctional cross-linking agent of the polyalkenyl polyether type.

The lightly cross-linked polymers used in practicing this invention are preferably prepared by suspension or emulsion polymerizing the monomers, using conventional free radical polymerization catalysts, to a dry particle size of not more than about 50 μm in equivalent spherical diameter; e.g., to provide dry polymer particles ranging in size from about 1 to about 30 μm, and preferably from about 3 to about 20 μm, in equivalent spherical diameter. In general, such polymers will range in molecular weight estimated to be from about 250,000 to about 4,000,000, and preferably from about 500,000 to about 2,000,000.

The aminosteroids can be administered by a variety of routes for the treatment or prevention of a variety of conditions, as noted in International Publication No. WO 87/01706 and in applicants' parent Ser. No. 07/933,574, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,926, grandparent Ser. No. 07/838,875 now abandoned and great grandparent Ser. No. 07/537,062, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,154, and as discussed in more detail below. For particular routes of administration, certain characteristics of the lightly cross-linked polymers need to be carefully controlled. Thus, for example, aqueous suspensions containing polymer particles prepared by suspension or emulsion polymerization whose average dry particle size is appreciably larger than about 50 μm in equivalent spherical diameter are less comfortable when administered to the eye than suspensions otherwise identical in composition containing polymer particles whose equivalent spherical diameters are, on the average, below about 50 μm. Moreover, above the average 50 μm size, the advantage of substantially increased viscosity after administration to the eye which is disclosed in applicants' parent and grandparent applications is not realized. It has also been discovered that lightly cross-linked polymers of acrylic acid or the like prepared to a dry particle size appreciably larger than about 50 μm in equivalent spherical diameter and then reduced in size, e.g., by mechanically milling or grinding, to a dry particle size of not more than about 50 μm in equivalent spherical diameter do not work as well as polymers made by suspension or emulsion polymerization. While we do not wish to be bound by any theory or mechanism advanced to explain the functioning of this aspect of invention, one possible explanation for the difference of such mechanically milled or ground polymer particles as the sole particulate polymer present is that grinding disrupts the spatial geometry or configuration of the larger than 50 μm lightly cross-linked polymer particles, perhaps by removing uncross-linked branches from polymer chains, by producing particles having sharp edges or protrusions, or by producing ordinarily too broad a range of particle sizes to afford satisfactory delivery system performance. A broad distribution of particle sizes will impair the viscosity-gelation relationship, which, as noted in applicants' parent and grandparent applications, is important in the case of eye administration. In any event, such mechanically reduced particles are less easily hydratable in aqueous suspension than particles prepared to the appropriate size by suspension or emulsion polymerization, and also are less able to gel in the eye under the influence of tear fluid to a sufficient extent and are less comfortable once gelled than gels produced in the eye using the polymers made by suspension or emulsion polymerization. However, up to about 40% by weight, e.g., from about 0% to over 20% by weight, based on the total weight of lightly cross-linked particles present, of such milled or ground polymer particles can be admixed with solution or emulsion polymerized polymer particles having dry particle diameters of not more than about 50 μm when practicing this invention. Such mixtures will also provide satisfactory viscosity levels in the ophthalmic medicament delivery systems and in the in situ gels formed in the eye coupled with ease and comfort of administration and satisfactory sustained release of the aminosteroid to the eye, particularly when such milled or ground polymer particles, in dry form, average from about 0.01 to about 30 μm, and preferably from about 1 to about 5 μm, in equivalent spherical diameter.

In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the particles have a narrow particle size distribution within a 10 μm band of major particle size distribution which contains at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95% of the particles. Also, there is no more than 20%, preferably no more than 10%, and most preferably no more than 5% particles of a size below 1 μm. The presence of large amounts of such fines has been found to inhibit the desired gelation upon eye contact. Apart from that, the use of a monodispersion of particles will give maximum viscosity and an increased eye residence time of the ophthalmic medicament delivery systems for a given particle size. Monodisperse particles having a particle size of 30 μm and below are most preferred. Good particle packing is aided by a narrow particle size distribution.

The cyclodextrins contemplated for use herein are hydroxypropyl, hydroxyethyl, glucosyl, maltosyl and maltotriosyl derivatives of β-cyclodextrin and the corresponding derivatives of γ-cyclodextrin. The hydroxyalkyl groupings may contain one or more hydroxyl groups, e.g. hydroxypropyl (2-hydroxypropyl, 3-hydroxypropyl), dihydroxypropyl and the like. The glucosyl, maltosyl and maltotriosyl derivatives may contain one or more sugar residues, e.g. glucosyl or diglucosyl, maltosyl or dimaltosyl. Various mixtures of the cyclodextrin derivatives may be used as well, e.g. a mixture of maltosyl and dimaltosyl derivatives. Specific cyclodextrin derivatives for use herein include hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD or HPBCD), hydroxyethyl-β-cyclodextrin (HEBCD), hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin (HPGCD), hydroxyethyl-γ-cyclodextrin (HEGCD), dihydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (2HPBCD), glucosyl-β-cyclodextrin(G₁ -β-CD or G₁ BCD), diglucosyl-β-cyclodextrin (2G₁ -β-CD or 2G₁ BCD), maltosyl-β-cyclodextrin (G₂ -β-CD or G₂ BCD), maltosyl-γ-cyclodextrin -cyclodextrin (G₂ -γ-CD or G₂ GCD), maltotriosyl-β-cyclodextrin (G₃ -β-CD or G₃ BCD), maltotriosyl-γ-cyclodextrin (G₃ -γ-CD or G₃ GCD) and dimaltosyl-β-cyclodextrin (2G₂ -β-CD or 2G₂ BCD), and mixtures thereof such as maltosyl-β-cyclodextrin/dimaltosyl-β-cyclodextrin.

Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin for use in the compositions and methods of the present invention is commercially available. Alternatively, it can be prepared by known methods, especially by use of the optimized procedure of Pitha et at, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 29, 73-82 (1986) or by modifications thereof as described in Bodor U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,566 and related Bodor patents referred to hereinabove. The other hydroxyalkyl cyclodextrins intended for use herein can also be prepared by known procedures, e.g. as described by Pitha et al or Bodor. The cyclodextrins obtained in this manner are intrinsically amorphous mixtures; see Pitha et at, J. Pharm. Sci., Vol. 74, No. 9, September 1985, 987-990 and Pitha U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,064.

The other cyclodextrins intended for use in the present invention, i.e. the glucosyl, maltosyl and maltotriosyl derivatives of β-and γ-cyclodextrin, are branched cyclodextrins which are highly soluble in water as compared to the parent cyclodextrins. These branched cyclodextrins can be produced by microbiological processes from the parent cyclodextrins. Glucosyl-β-cyclodextrins can be obtained from the mother liquor of a large-scale β-cyclodextrin synthesis with Bacillus ohbensis cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase; see Koizumi et al, Chem. Pharm. Bull,, 35 (8), 3413-3418 (1987) and reference cited therein. Maltosyl and maltotriosyl β- and γ-cyclodextrins can be prepared from the parent cyclodextrin and maltose or maltotriose through the reverse action of Pseudomonas isoamylase or Klebsiella aerogenes pullulanase, while glucosyl -γ-cyclodextrin can be prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of maltosyl-γ-cyclodextrin; see Okada et al, Chem. Pharm. Bull., 36 (8), 2176-2185 (1988) and references cited therein. The preparation of maltosyl-β-cyclodextrin by reacting maltose with β-cyclodextrin in the presence of pullulanase is also described in Japanese Kokai 61-287902, published Dec. 13, 1986, and Japanese Kokai 61-197602, published Sep. 1, 1986. A mixture of maltosyl-β-cyclodextrin and various dimaltosyl-β-cyclodextrins may be conveniently employed. See also Kainuma et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,626, issued May 26, 1987.

Applicants' parent Ser. No. 07/933,574, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,626, grandparent Ser. No. 07/838,875 now abandoned and great grandparent Ser. No. 07/537,062, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,154, disclose formulation of the hereinabove-described aminosteroids with an appropriate inert vehicle or carrier for prevention or treatment of ophthalmic diseases or disorders (discussed in more detail below). Topical, intraocular and systemic routes of administration are described. The term "inert vehicle" is broadly used in those earlier applications to optionally include adjuvants, preservatives, buffers, demulcents and anything else that is essentially inert relative to the therapeutic function (particularly the antioxidant function) of the aminosteroids as that function relates to eye tissue. The earlier applications teach that topical formulations should generally include between 0.01 and 10% by weight, preferably between 0.1 and 5% by weight, of the amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agent in a suitable polymeric carder. Suitable polymeric carders are taught to include lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymers (such as polycarbophil), dextran, cellulose derivatives, polyethyleneglycol 400 and other polymeric demulcents. Other additions taught as desirably included in the topical formulations include sodium chloride, EDTA (disodium edetate), surfactants, and preservatives such as BAK (benzalkonium chloride). The earlier applications further teach that aqueous solutions and suspensions for liquid oral administration will typically contain between about 0.05 and 5.0% by weight, preferably between 0.1 and 2.0% by weight of the amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agent; that suitable adjuvants which may be used as carriers to provide wetability and stability include propylene glycol, lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymers such as polycarbophil, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and methyl cellulose; and that other additives, including sodium edetate, methyl and propyl parabens, flavoring agents and colorants may also be employed, if desired. Examples 7 and 8 in the parent and grandparent applications detail the preparation of topical compositions containing the aminosteroid U-74006F, U-74500A or U-75412A and a polycarbophil (Carbopol 976). A viscosity of 5,000 cps or greater is noted in Example 7. Sodium chloride, EDTA, sodium hydroxide and, optionally, the preservative benzalkonium chloride are also present in the compositions.

It has now been found that the aminosteroid therapeutic agents which are as defined herein as well as in the parent and grandparent and great grandparent applications can be remarkably stabilized by combining the steroid with an effective stabilizing amount of lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymer in an aqueous medium. Selected compositions disclosed in the parent and grandparent applications have thus been found to possess exceptional stability. This stability is believed to be achieved via an ionic interaction between the aminosteroid and the lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymer (e.g., polyacrylic hydrogel). As such, this exceptional stability characterizes pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aminosteroid and lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymer in aqueous medium, regardless of the intended route of administration or the purpose for which the composition is to be administered.

As noted in applicants' parent, grandparent and great grandparent applications, the aminosteroids are themselves capable of oxidative degradation and it is therefore desirable that the formulations including them avoid oxidation and excessive exposure to light. The parent and grandparent applications further teach that the formulations are preferably prepared in an anaerobic environment by making all formulations under an inert gas, and the finished formulations are preferably stored in opaque or brown containers to protect them from light exposure, and under an inert atmosphere. Such precautions are generally unnecessary for aminosteroid-containing pharmaceutical formulations which also contain an effective stabilizing amount of lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymers (such as polycarbophil), as provided by the present invention.

In a typical method for stabilizing aminosteroids in accord with the present invention, an effective stabilizing amount of the polymer is slowly dispersed in water and stirred, typically for a period of from about 15 minutes to 2 hours. This amount is generally from about 0.1% to about 2.0% by weight of the final composition, although greater amounts of the polymer, e.g. up to about 6.5% by weight of the total composition, can be present in the composition, particularly if a more viscous formulation is desired; this amount can also be expressed as a weight to weight ratio of polymer to aminosteroid of from about 1:10 to about 20:1. Sodium chloride (from about 0 to 0.9% by weight) is added to adjust osmolality and, optionally, EDTA may be added to complex metal ions. This mixture is generally heated (typically autoclaved) for a period of from about 30 to about 90 minutes, then cooled. It is preferred to adjust the pH of the mixture to be above about 6. This may be done by addition of a suitable base such as sodium hydroxide. At the same time, the aminosteroid component (from about 0.01 to about 10.0% by weight of the final composition) is dissolved in a strong acid solution (e.g. aqueous hydrochloric acid), using care not to lower the pH much below pH 2 so as not to hydrolyze the aminosteroid. The acidic aminosteroid solution is then added slowly to the polymer dispersion, the pH is adjusted to around pH 7 with sodium hydroxide and water is added as needed. Obtained in this manner, the formulation is viscous and the aminosteroid is suspended therein. Viscosity generally increases with increasing concentrations of polymer.

Stabilized pharmaceutical compositions prepared in accord with the present invention as described immediately above are thus obtained as viscous aqueous suspensions and are capable of sustained release of the aminosteroid therapeutic agent. Because of these characteristics, the compositions so obtained are of particular value as topical delivery systems, especially as ophthalmic and dermal aminosteroid delivery systems (although they can be administered by other routes as well).

In accordance with one preferred form of the invention, a stabilized sustained release aminosteroid delivery system comprises an aqueous suspension at a pH of from about 3 to about 9 (preferably 5 to 8) and an osmotic pressure of from about 10 to about 400 mOsM containing from about 0.1% to about 6.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the suspension, of a lightly cross-linked, carboxyl-containing polymer prepared by polymerizing one or more carboxyl-containing monoethylenically unsaturated monomers and less than about 5% by weight of a cross-linking agent, such weight percentages of monomers being based on the total weight of monomers polymerized. Typically, the suspension has an initial viscosity of from about 1,000 to about 30,000 centipoises and is administrable to the eye in drop form, or in the form of a ribbon at a viscosity of from about 30,000 to about 100,000 centipoises, but considerably higher viscosities are acceptable for topical routes of administration other than ophthalmic, e.g. dermal, and local routes such as nasal, buccal, rectal and vaginal. The polymer has an average particle size of not more than about 50 μm, preferably not more than about 30 μm, in equivalent spherical diameter. In the case of topical ophthalmic delivery systems, the pH of the suspension is from about 5 to about 9. The viscous gel can remain in the eye for a prolonged period of time so as to release the aminosteroid therapeutic agent contained therein in sustained fashion.

The polymer is preferably prepared from at least about 50% by weight, more preferably at least about 90% by weight, of one or more carboxyl-containing monoethylenically unsaturated monomers. Desirably, the polymer is prepared by suspension or emulsion polymerizing acrylic acid and a non-polyalkenyl polyether difunctional cross-linking agent to a particle size of not more than about 50 μm, preferably not more than about 30 μm, in equivalent spherical diameter. A preferred cross-linking agent is divinyl glycol. It may be desirable to replace up to about 40% by weight of the carboxyl-containing monoethylenically unsaturated monomers by one or more non-carboxyl-containing monoethylenically unsaturated monomers containing only physiologically (and, where appropriate, ophthamologically) innocuous substituents.

The osmotic pressure is preferably achieved by using a physiologically (and, where appropriate, ophthalmologically) acceptable salt in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the suspensions. A preferred salt is sodium chloride.

Aminosteroid of formula (XI) may be present in desired therapeutic amount, preferably from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the suspension. Preferred aminosteroids include U-74006, U-74500, U-75412, U-74006F, U-74500A, U-75412A and U-75412-E and aminosteroids of formula I.

In a preferred method of preparing stable sustained release topical ophthalmic delivery systems, the foregoing suspensions are prepared and packaged at the desired viscosity of from 1,000 to about 30,000 centipoises, for administration to the eye in drop form. Upon administration to the eye, viscous gel remains in the eye for a prolonged period of time so as to release in a sustained fashion the aminosteroid entrapped therein.

The present invention thus provides a stable ophthalmic delivery system that not only has the benefits of administration in drop form, but also does not suffer from breakdown limitations due to administration at a viscosity suitable for drops. Through administration at a viscosity such that the suspension can be reliably administered in drop form, but which actually increases when the suspension is so administered, controlled release of aminosteroid medicament is significantly enhanced.

As mentioned above, viscosities substantially over 30,000 cps are generally not suitable for drops; also, viscosities over 100,000 are generally not suitable as ribbons. When the viscosities are substantially lower than 1,000 cps, the ability of the gel to sustain itself after contact with tears is impeded. When a suspension at a pH of from about 3 to about 6.5 and an osmotic pressure of from about 10 to about 400 mOsM contacts the tear fluid, there is an increased gelation with a pH change. As will be appreciated, tear fluid is at a higher pH of about 7.2 to about 7.4. With the pH increase, carboxylic acid (COOH) undergoes a sodium replacement (to COONa), and the sodium form disassociates, causing the polymer to expand.

The relationships between the degree of cross-linking and between the degree of cross-linking and particle size can become quite important variables. Because the particles are present in a suspension, the degree of cross-linking is necessarily high enough to avoid substantial dissolution of the polymer. On the other hand, since rapid gelation is achieved at the time of the pH change, the degree of cross-linking is necessarily low enough to permit gelation. Moreover, if the polymer particle size is too large, induced swelling can tend to fill voids between large particles that are in contact with one another, rather causing gelation.

If the polymer were in a dissolved state, as it would be if there were insufficient cross-linking because the ratio of cross-linker to monomer was too low, particle size would be basically irrelevant. In a suspension, particle size can be relevant to comfort. However, it has been found that in the system of the present invention, the small particle size and light cross-linking synergistically yield rapid gelation to a substantially increased viscosity when the pH changes such as when compositions of the present invention contact tear fluid. In fact, above the 50 μm size this advantage of substantially increased Viscosity is not realized. Moreover, at the 50 μm size, there is also reasonably good eye comfort.

In a most preferred form of the invention, the particles are not only subject to the upper size limits described above, but also to a narrow particle size distribution. Such use of a monodispersion of particles, which aids in good particle packing, yields a maximum increased viscosity upon contact of the suspension with the tears and increases eye residence time. At least about 80%, more preferably at least about 90% and most preferably at least about 95%, of the particles should be within a no more than about 10 μm band of major particle size distribution, and overall (i.e., considering particles both within and outside such band) there should be no more than about 20%, preferably no more than about 10% and most preferably no more than about 5% fines (i.e., particles of a size below 1 μm). It is also preferred, as the average particle size is lowered from the upper limit of 50 μm, more preferably 30 μm, to lower sizes such as 6 μm, that the band of major particle size distribution be also narrowed, for example to 5 μm. Preferred sizes for particles within the band of major particle distribution are less than about 30 μm, more preferably less than about 20 μm, most preferably from about 1 μm to about 5 μm.

It is apparent that, while the stable sustained delivery systems discussed above are uniquely well-suited to ophthalmic administration, the same systems can be used for topical treatment of skin and mucous membrane by local application to tissue in need of treatment, such as dermal, nasal, vaginal and rectal tissues. However, various features of the systems designed for administration to the eye can be modified in order to produce systems which are even better suited to the contemplated non-ophthalmic route of administration. For example, larger amounts of cross-linking agents and/or higher pH levels may be utilized to provide more viscous gels suited for longer retention on the skin or in body cavities. Furthermore, when it is desired to combine in a single composition the sustained release and prolonged retention properties of the aminosteroid suspensions described above with the immediate release which aminosteroid solutions would provide, or when it is desired to simply achieve the more immediate release and greater penetration possible with solutions, be it for ophthalmic or other route of administration, yet other modifications of the invention can be made as described in more detail hereinbelow.

The exceptional stabilizing effect of lightly-crosslinked carboxy-containing polymers on the aminosteroids of formula (XI) has been demonstrated as follows:

Representative formulations are prepared in accord with EXAMPLE 3 hereinbelow, with the polymer and aminosteroid being as identified in EXAMPLE 3, the concentration of the polymer being 1.0% (w/w) and the concentration of the aminosteroid being either 0.25% or 1.0% (w/w). The stability of the formulation may be monitored by HPLC for each steroid concentration over time, at 5° C., at room temperature, and at 40° C. storage conditions. The 0.25% steroid formulation is observed monthly, over a 3 month period at each temperature, and the 1% steroid formulation is observed over a 3 month period at each temperature. There was essentially no loss of aminosteroid at either concentration level over the two storage conditions. Compared to the known stability of the aminosteroid [Snider et al, Int. J. Pharm, 66, 63-70 (1990)], the present formulations stabilize the aminosteriod even at a pH at which the aminosteroid is not ordinarily stable in solution. The improvement in aminosteroid stability may derive from two characteristics of the formulation, i.e. the fact that essentially all of the aminosteroid is suspended in the solid form and the fact that the polymer and aminosteroid interact in a way that protects the aminosteroid from degradation.

The changes in rheological properties of the polymer also indicate that such interaction occurs in the presence of aminosteroid. In steady state shear experiments, a placebo formulation displays a zero shear rate viscosity, lower than when the representative aminosteroid identified in EXAMPLE 3 is present at either 0.5% or 1.0%. The results indicate that the aminosteroid interacts with the representative polymer specified in EXAMPLE 3 to provide a stronger polymer network structure than for the polymer alone. Moreover, strain sweep and frequency sweep experiments demonstrate a more viscoelastic and complex viscosity, supporting the evidence of a stronger network structure for formulations in which the aminosteroid is present.

The viscosity of 1.0% w/w aminosteroid formulations prepared according to EXAMPLE 3 below, but with varying concentrations of polymer (0.25% to 1.0% w/w), may be compared with that of corresponding formulations lacking the aminosteroid component. Viscosity is measured by a Brookfield LTV spindle type viscometer with spindle #25, 12 rpm. Viscosity increases with increasing concentrations of the polymer in both types of formulations (i.e. with and without aminosteroid). However, the aminosteroid-containing formulations consistently displays significantly higher viscosities than the corresponding formulations without aminosteroids across the entire range that is tested. When the concentration of aminosteroid is varied (from 0.1 to 1.0% w/w) while the concentration of polymer is maintained constant (at 1.0% w/w), a concentration viscosity dependence is established for the aminosteroid. However, when the steroid fluorometholone is added to the polymer vehicle at either the 0.1% or 1.0% w/w level, no significant change in viscosity is observed. While fluorometholone, which is not an aminosteroid, is also suspended in the polymer vehicle, it appeared not to interact with the polymer. In other words, fluorometholone acts as a non-interactive filler while the representative aminosteroid acts as an interactive filler. The interaction between aminosteroid and polymer in these experiments is further substantiated by the fact that the pH at which the aminosteroid was added to the formulation appeared to affect the degree of interaction. When the pH is lower than 6.0, the aminosteroid is highly ionized and the interaction becomes so strong that agglomeration is seen. This pH dependent interaction also suggests an ionic interaction between aminosteroid and polymer.

As noted hereinabove, the stable compositions obtained in accord with the foregoing detailed description provide for sustained release of the aminosteroid, by virtue of the fact that the aminosteroid is in suspension. Prolonged retention at the site of application can also be readily provided by these compositions by virtue of their viscosity. However, immediate release of the aminosteroid and greater penetration (e.g. through the cornea or skin, in the case of ophthalmic or dermal application, respectively) are sometimes desired, either in combination with or instead of the sustained release/prolonged retention properties. The present invention provides for modification of the method and compositions described above in order to achieve these goals. Specifically, the aminosteroid can be partially or completely solubilized in the aminosteroid/lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymer formulations by using an amount of cyclodextrin (as defined and discussed in detail hereinabove) sufficient to at least partially solubilize the aminosteroid. Addition of cyclodextrin reduces irritation topically and intraocularly. Moreover, if desired, sufficient cyclodextrin can be utilized to substantially completely solubilize the aminosteroid. The degree of solubilization can be controlled and the mixed solution/suspension or complete solution which results is stable to degradation The cyclodextrin used can be any of the hydroxyalkylated or branched derivatives of β- and γ-cyclodextrins identified hereinabove. However, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin is presently preferred.

Modification of the methods and compositions of the present invention to include the selected cyclodextrin need not involve modification of the amounts or characteristics of the other ingredients, such as the lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymer ingredient. However, it will be apparent from the foregoing detailed discussion of the aminosteroid/polymer aqueous suspensions that some of the features which are particularly important in the suspension formulations, especially in the suspensions intended for administration to the eye, for example particle size and viscosity, may be less important to the cyclodextrin-containing formulations, especially when the aminosteroid is completely solubilized therein. Nevertheless, it has been found that the particular polymers and their characteristics and amounts which are preferred for use in the non-cyclodextrin-containing formulations are very well-suited for use in the cyclodextrin-containing compositions. As in the case of the non-cyclodextrin-containing formulations, the cyclodextrin-containing compositions can be adapted for topical treatment of skin and mucous membrane by local application to tissue in need of treatment, such as dermal nasal, vaginal and rectal tissues.

More specifically, in a typical method for stabilizing and partially or completely solubilizing aminosteroids in accord with the present invention, the selected cyclodextrin (e.g. hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin) is employed in an amount sufficient to solubilize at least a portion of the aminosteroid in the final formulation; the cyclodextrin is thus utilized in an amount which is generally from about 1.0 to about 20.0% or 30.0% by weight of the total composition, but much larger amounts of cyclodextrin (e.g. up to about 50% by weight) may be used when complete solubilization is desired, depending on the insolubility of the particular aminosteroid selected, the amount of aminosteroid to be solubilized and the solubilizing power of the selected cyclodextrin. The weight ratio of cyclodextrin to aminosteroid can range from about 1:1 to about 500:1. The selected polymer is generally used in an effective stabilizing amount of from about 0.1% to about 2.0% by weight of the final composition, although additional polymer (up to about 6.5% by weight) can be present, if desired. This amount can also be expressed as a weight to weight ratio of polymer to aminosteroid from about 1:10 to about 20:1. Generally, the cyclodextrin is dissolved in water, then the polymer is slowly dispersed therein and stirred (typically, for a period of from about 15 minutes to 2 hours). Sodium chloride (from about 0 to 0.9% by weight) is added to adjust osmolality and, optionally, EDTA may be added to complex metal ions. The resultant mixture is generally heated (e.g. autoclaved) for a period of from about 30 to about 90 minutes, then cooled. It is preferred to adjust the pH of the mixture to be above about 6. This may be done by addition of a suitable base such as sodium hydroxide. Separately, the aminosteroid (from about 0.01 to about 10.0% by weight of the total composition) is dissolved in a strong acid solution (e.g. aqueous hydrochloric acid) and that solution is combined with the polymer/cyclodextrin solution, the pH is adjusted to around pH 7 with sodium hydroxide, and water is added as necessary to bring the total volume to 100%. Compositions obtained in this manner can be solutions or mixed suspensions/solutions; the degree of solubilization is controlled by the concentration of the cyclodextrin component. A representative formulation prepared as described in EXAMPLE 4 hereinbelow, having a 1% w/w concentration of the representative aminosteroid U-74006F which is approximately 75% solubilized, will be stable at room temperature and at 40° C. over a three month storage period. There is no significant loss of aminosteroid concentration at either temperature. In this case, it is believed that stability results from the stability of the non-dissolved aminosteroid, the interaction of the aminosteroid with the polymer as discussed above in relation to the non-cyclodextrin compositions, and the molecular inclusion of the aminosteroid by the cyclodextrin. Solubilization is of course due to the presence of cyclodextrin. In comparing formulations prepared as described in EXAMPLES 3 and 4 hereinafter, it appears that the main difference is the dissolution of aminosteroid from essentially none to highly dissolved concentrations. Data collected thus far fails to show any significant difference in the stability of the two formulations. Thus, the main reason the aminosteroid is stable in both formulations appears to be the presence of the cross-linked polymer and its ionic interaction with the aminosteroid.

The aminosteroids of formula XI are useful in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions in warm-blooded animals, including humans. The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions for administration in the treatment or prevention of the various conditions for which the aminosteroids are known to be useful, e.g. from International Publication No. WO 87/01706, and from parent application Serial No. 07/933,574, now U.S. Pat No. 5,209,926, grandparent Ser. No. 07/838,875 now abandoned, and great grandparent application Ser. 07/537,062, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,154. Briefly, such conditions include spinal trauma; head injury (mild, moderate or severe); subarachnoid hemorrhage (including the associated cerebral vasospasm); skin graft rejection; ischemic stroke; excessive mucous secretion; asthma; muscular dystrophy; shock (hemorrhagic, septic or traumatic); cardiac toxicity induced by anti-cancer agents such as adriamycin; Parkinsonism, Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders of a degenerative nature; severe bums; ARDS; multiple sclerosis; organ damage occurring during reperfusion following transplant; osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases; dermatological disorders such as inflammation and psoriasis; immunological nephrotic syndrome; allergic reactions; systemic lupus erythematosis; atherosclerosis; emphysema; metastases and tumor growth; cluster headaches, ulcers induced by stress; complications from radiation damage, brain tumors and damage after myocardial infarction; and bums and wounds (to promote healing). The aminosteroids are further known to be useful in the prevention of damage following cardiopulmonary resuscitation, cardiac infarction and neurological or cardiovascular surgery; in the treatment and prevention of many of the conditions for which glucocorticoid pharmaceuticals are known to be useful (some of which are listed hereinabove); in the treatment or prevention of ophthalmic diseases or disorders such as cataracts, glaucoma or the risk of glaucoma associated with significantly elevated intraocular pressure, inflammatory eye disease, retinal eye disease, intraocular pressure rise due to uveitis, post-infarct ambolus, traumatic eye injury (such as blunt trauma, compression injury, hyphema, surgical trauma, etc.), neovascular or ischemic eye disease (conditions in the eye involving ischemia such as corneal edema from prolonged wearing of contact lenses and the like), bullous keratitis, dry eye including keratitis sicca, alkali bum and conditions arising from transplantation of ocular cells.

The foregoing is not meant to imply that each of the aminosteroids of formula XI is useful for every condition noted above. However, one skilled in the art can readily ascertain which steroids are useful for which purposes, for example, using assay procedures referred to in International Publication No. WO 87/01706.

Routes of administration, frequency of administration and dosage levels vary with the particular aminosteroid selected, condition being treated, severity of the condition, size, weight and age of the patient and other well-known factors. Typical dosage ranges include from about 0.05 to about 100 mg/kg/day, one to four times daily, by various routes, e.g. orally, parenterally (for example, intramuscularly), nasally, rectally, by inhalation, topically (e.g. dermally, ophthalmically, or vaginally) or by intraocular injection. In addition to selecting the route of administration most suitable to a particular condition, the method of stabilizing or stabilizing/solubilizing the aminosteroid and the resultant stable compositions will be selected which will be most appropriate for the condition and route of administration. The polymer-containing suspensions, for example, are particularly suitable for topical (e.g., ophthalmic, dermal or vaginal), intraocular, nasal and rectal administration, while the instant solutions (containing cyclodextrin in addition to polymer) are especially suited to parenteral administration. Obviously, however, the suspension and solutions can be administered by other routes as well.

Topical administration to the skin is generally preferred for the treatment of many dermatological conditions, particularly skin inflammation and psoriasis, but particularly serious dermal conditions may require systemic administration, alone or in conjunction with topical treatment.

In the case of ophthalmic conditions, topical administration is preferable when the target of the treatment is located in or near the anterior chamber of the eye. By contrast, because the flow of aqueous humor is from the ciliary body (behind the iris) forward towards the cornea before it exits through the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal, penetration of drugs to the back of the eye when administered topically to the front of the eye occurs with some difficulty. It is therefore often more effective to administer drugs intended for the treatment of uveal and retinal diseases by the systemic route where access to the eye occurs through the choroid plexus, or by the intravitreal route. Some of the more severe eye diseases affect those targets which are difficult to treat effectively by the topical route and they can be associated with markedly impaired vision or blindness. Accordingly, the topical route is preferred for convenience of individual patient self-administration, and the intraocular and systemic routes are preferred for surgical and presurgical administration.

In order to maintain an ocularly adequate therapeutic level of drug in the back of the eye where surgery is not involved, or has been concluded, the present invention also contemplates the treatment of an ophthalmic disease by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of amino-substituted steroid antioxidant agent (including salts, hydrates or solvates), by oral or intramuscular routes, in addition to the convenient topical route or by intraocular injection.

Aqueous solutions, aqueous suspensions, ointments, and gels are preferably used for topical formulations, e.g. for ophthalmic or dermal administration. The aqueous formulations may also contain liposomes for creating a reservoir of dissolved amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agent for contact with the tear film. Particularly preferred among topical formulations are gels, which enhance pre-corneal retention and protect the amino-substituted steroids from degradation without the inconvenience and impairment of vision associated with ointments.

Topical formulations should generally include between 0.01 and 10% by weight, preferably between 0.1 and 5% by weight, of the amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agent, together with the amounts of polymer and cyclodextrin noted hereinabove, in an aqueous medium.

Other additives which are desirably included in the topical formulations include sodium chloride, EDTA (disodium edetate), pH adjusters, buffers, surfactants, and preservatives like BAK (benzalkonium chloride). Administration of the formulation to the eye or skin will typically be carried out between one and four times a day, depending on the particular problem being treated.

Formulations for ocular injection, intramuscular injection, oral administration and other routes can be formulated in accord with techniques well-known to those skilled in the art of pharmaceutical formulations. The amounts of aminosteroid, and polymer when used, and/or cyclodextrin as noted hereinabove are included in an aqueous medium; as in the case of topical formulations, other additives may be included just so long as they do not interfere with the stabilization (and solubilization, when desired) and are appropriate for the selected route of administration. See, for example applicants' parent, grandparent and great grandparent applications referenced hereinabove, and Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, seventeen edition, ed. Alfonso R. Gennaro, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa. (1985).

The following examples are given for illustrative purposes only and should in no way be construed as limiting the subject matter presently disclosed and claimed.

EXAMPLE 1

Bioadhesive compositions of matter are prepared containing U-74006F, U-74500A or U-754 12A suitable for topical administration to the eye. A formulation of 5,000 cps viscosity or greater is prepared by suspending 1 g of NOVEON AA-1, a polycarbophil, in 95 g of intravenous grade water. The solution is mixed by overhead stirring for 1 hour. To this solution 0.5 g of sodium chloride and 0.1 g of EDTA are added and stirring is continued for 5 minutes. The pH of the solution is adjusted to 6.0 by dropwise addition of 1N sodium hydroxide. This forms a gel. This composition is sterilized at 121° C. for 30 minutes. To this formulation is added 0.15 g of the aminosteroid therapeutic agent dissolved in 6.0N HCL by sterile filtration and stirring is continued for 30 minutes. The total weight is adjusted to 100 g by addition of water by sterile filtration. This formulation is then aseptically filled into unit dose containers and applied topically. Thus, to prevent or treat an ophthalmic disease or disorder, the composition is topically administered to the eye one to four times a day, with the aminosteroid therapeutic agent being introduced in an ophthalmically effective amount to arrest processes damaging to the eye (particularly oxidation processes) of a human or other animal that is subject to intraocular damage and in need of improved visual function or prevention of its loss from such damage.

EXAMPLE 2

Compositions similar to those of EXAMPLE 1 are prepared by following the procedure of EXAMPLE 1, but adding 100 mg of the preservative benzalkonium chloride prior to sterilization. There is produced a preserved formulation suitable for sterile filling into multidose containers. The formulation is applied topically as in EXAMPLE 1.

EXAMPLE 3

A 100 g batch of pharmaceutical composition is prepared as described below:

    ______________________________________                                         INGREDIENT       CONCENTRATION (% w/w)                                         ______________________________________                                         Aminosteroid U-74006F                                                                           1.0%                                                          Polycarbophil 976 (Noveon                                                                       1.0%                                                          AA-1)                                                                          Sodium Chloride  0.5%                                                          EDTA             0.1%                                                          Hydrochloric Acid, 0.2N                                                                         10.0%                                                         Sodium Hydroxide, 2N                                                                            to adjust pH                                                  Water, q.s. to    100%                                                         ______________________________________                                    

The polymer (1.0 g) is slowly dispersed in approximately 75 g of sterile water for injection and stirred for 1 hour at 400 rpm. Then, 0.1 g of EDTA is added to the polymer mixture and stirred for 15 minutes. Sodium chloride (0.5 g) is added and stirring is continued for 15 minutes. The polymer mixture is autoclaved for 45 minutes at 121° C., then cooled to room temperature. The pH is adjusted to approximately 6.2 by addition of 2N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution through a sterile filter. In a 100 mL beaker, the aminosteroid (1.0 g) is dissolved in 10 g of 0.2N aqueous hydrochloric acid. While stirring the polymer mixture, the aminosteroid mixture is added thereto slowly, in a drop-wise fashion, through a sterile filter. The pH of the resultant mixture is adjusted to approximately 7.2 with 2N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The final weight of the formulation is adjusted to 100 g with sterile water for injection and the formulation is sealed under a blanket of filtered nitrogen. The resultant composition has a physiological pH with a slightly hypotonic osmolality. The viscosity of the formulation is approximately 30,000 cps.

The resultant composition is of particular interest for topical treatment of ophthalmic conditions.

EXAMPLE 4

A 100 g batch of pharmaceutical composition is prepared as described below:

    ______________________________________                                         INGREDIENT       CONCENTRATION (% w/w)                                         ______________________________________                                         Aminosteroid U-74006F                                                                           1.0%                                                          Polycarbophil 976 (Noveon                                                                       1.0%                                                          AA-1)                                                                          2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodex-                                                                20.0%                                                         trin                                                                           EDTA             0.1%                                                          Hydrochloric Acid, 0.2N                                                                         12.5%                                                         Sodium Hydroxide, 2N                                                                            to adjust pH                                                  Water, q.s. to    100%                                                         ______________________________________                                    

The cyclodextrin (20 g) is dissolved in approximately 60 g of sterile water for injection. The polymer is dispersed in the cyclodextrin solution, then the mixture is stirred for about 1 hour at 400 rpm. Then, 0.1 g of EDTA is added and stirred for 15 minutes. The mixture is autoclaved for 45 minutes at 121° C., then allowed to cool to room temperature. The aminosteroid (1 g) is dissolved in 12.5 g of 0.2N aqueous hydrochloric 15 acid. The aminosteroid solution is added to the cyclodextrin/polymer mixture by sterile filtration. The pH is adjusted to about 7.2 with 2N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The final weight of the formulation is adjusted to 100 g with sterile water and the formulation is sealed under a blanket of filtered nitrogen. The aminosteroid is extensively solubilized in the resultant composition, but about 25% of the steroid remained undissolved. The pH is physiological and the osmolality is slightly hypotonic.

The resultant composition is of particular interest for topical treatment of ophthalmic conditions.

Use of about 30 g of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in the above procedure is expected to substantially completely solubilize the aminosteroid.

EXAMPLE 5

A 100 g batch of pharmaceutical composition is prepared as described below:

    ______________________________________                                         INGREDIENT       CONCENTRATION (% w/w)                                         ______________________________________                                         Aminosteroid U-74006F                                                                           1.0%                                                          CARBOPOL 974P    1.0%                                                          Sodium Chloride  0.5%                                                          EDTA             0.1%                                                          Hydrochloric Acid, 0.2N                                                                         10.0%                                                         Sodium Hydroxide, 2N                                                                            to adjust pH                                                  Water, q.s. to    100%                                                         ______________________________________                                    

CARBOPOL 974P (1.0 g) is slowly dispersed in approximately 75 g of sterile water for injection and stirred for one hour at 400 rpm, using an overhead stirrer. Then 0.1 g of EDTA is added to the polymer mixture and stirred for 15 minutes. Sodium chloride (0.5 g) is added and stirring is continued for 15 minutes. The mixture is autoclaver at 121° C. for 15 to 30 minutes to achieve sterilization, then cooled to room temperature. The pH is adjusted to approximately 6.2 by addition of 2N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution through a sterile filter. In a 100 mL beaker, the aminosteroid (1.0 g) is dissolved in 10 g of 0.2N HCl. While stirring the polymer mixture, the aminosteroid is added slowly, in a drop-wise manner, through a sterile filter. Finally, the pH is adjusted to 7.2 with 2N NaOH and the final weight of the formulation is brought to 100 g by addition of sterile water for injection through a sterile filter.

A 1% suspension prepared in this manner is of particular interest for the topical treatment of dermal conditions.

EXAMPLE 6

The foregoing examples can be repeated, substituting or adding one or more other aminosteroid therapeutic agents selected from the C₂₀ through C₂₆ aminosteroids of the formula XI structure (especially those which exhibit antioxidant functions), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, or solvates thereof, keeping the total amount of agent as in EXAMPLES 1-6. One such agent is U-77372E. The structure of U-77372E, 21-[4-(4,6-bis-(2-pyridinyl)triazin-2-yl)-1-piperazinyl]-16α-methylpregna-1,4,9(11)-triene-3,20-dione methanesulfonate, may be obtained from the description in Braughler et at, Biochemical Pharmacology 37:3856 (1988).

Although only preferred embodiments are specifically illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention. 

What is claim is:
 1. A method for stabilizing an amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agent in a pharmaceutical formulation, said method comprising combining an amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of the C₂₀ through C₂₆ aminosteroids of the formula XI ##STR7## where: (A-I) R₆ is α-R₆₁ :β-R₆₂, R₁₀ is α-R₁₀₁ :β-R₁₀₂ and R₇ is α-H:βH, where one of R₆₁ and R₆₂ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, or C₁ -C₃ alkyl, R₁₀₂ is --CH₃, R₁₀₁ and R₅ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(--R₃₃ --CH═ or --CH--CH--CO--CH═, where R₃₃ is ═O or α-H:β-OR₃₄ or α-OR₃₄ :β-H, where R₃₄ is --H, --P(═O)(OH)₂, --CO--CH₃, --CO--C₂ H₅, --CO--O--CH₃ or --CO--O--C₂ H₅,(A-II) R₅ is α-R₅₃ :β-R₅₄, R₆ is α-R₆₃ :β-R₆₄, R₁₀ is α-R₁₀₃ :β-R₁₀₄ and R₇ is α-H:β-H, where one of R₆₃ and R₆₄ is --H, and the other taken together with one of R₅₃ and R₅₄ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₄ is --CH₃, R₁₀₃ and the other of R₅₃ and R₅₄ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(H)(OH)--CH₂ --or--(CH₂)₂ --C[H][OP(═O)--(OH)₂ ]--CH₂ --; (A-III) R₁₀ and R₅ taken together are ═CH--CH═C(OR₃)--CH═ where R₃ is --H, --P(═O)(OH)₂, C₁ -C₃ alkyl, --CO--H, C₂ -C₄ alkanoyl or benzyl, R₆ is α-R₆₅ :β-R₆₆ where one of R₆₅ and R₆₆ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, or C₁ -C₃ alkyl and R₇ is α-H:β--H; (A-IV) R₅ is α-R₅₇ :β-R₅₈, R₆ is α-R₆₇ :β-R₆₈, R₇ is α-H:β-H and R₁₀ is α-R₁₀₇ :β-R₁₀₈, where one of R₅₇ and R₅₈ is --H, R₁₀₇ and the other of R₅₇ and R₅₈ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₃)--CH₂, where R₃₃ is as defined above, R₁₀₈ is --CH₃, where one of R₆₇ and R₆₈ is --H and the other is --H, --F, or C₁ -C₃ alkyl; (A-V) R₆ is R₆₉ :R₆₁₀, R₇ is R₇₉ :R₇₁₀, R₁₀ is α-R₁₀₉ :R₁₀₁₀, where one of R₆₉ and R₆₁₀ is --H and the other taken together with one of R₇₉ and R₇₁₀ forms a second bond between C₆ and C₇, and the other of R₇₉ and R₇₁₀ is --H, R₁₀₁₀ is --CH₃, R₁₀₉ and R₅ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₃)--CH═ or --CH═CH--CO--CH═, where R₃₃ is as defined above; where: (C-I) R₁₁ is α-R₁₁₁ :β-R₁₁₂, where one of R₁₁₁ and R₁₁₂ is taken together with R₉ to form a second bond between C₉ and C₁₁ and the other R₁₁₁ and R₁₁₂ is --H; (C-II) R₉ is --Cl and R₁₁ is ═O or α-H:β-R₁₁₄ where R₁₁₄ is --Cl or --OH; (C-III) R₉ is --H or --F and R₁₁ is ═O or α-R₁₁₅ :β-R₁₁₆, where one of R₁₁₅ and R₁₁₆ is --H, and the other of R₁₁₅ and R₁₁₆ is --H, --OH or C₁ -C₁₂ alkoxy; (C-IV) R₉ is --H or --F and R₁₁ is α-O--CO--R₁₁₇ :β-H, where R₁₁₇ is(A) C₁ -C₃ alkyl, (B) C₁ -C₁₂ alkoxy, (C) furanyl, (D) --NR₁₂₂ R₁₂₃, where one of R₁₂₂ and ₁₂₃ is --H, methyl or ethyl and the other is --H, C₁ -C₄ alkyl or phenyl, (E) --X₃ --X₁, where X₃ is --O--or a valence bond, where X₁ is phenyl optionally substituted with 1 through 2 --Cl, --Br, C₁ -C₃ alkoxy, --COOH, --NH₂, C₁ -C₃ alkylamino, di(C₁ -C₃)alkylamino, where the alkyl groups are the same or different, 1-pyrrolidinyl-, 1-piperidinyl, 1-hexamethylenimino-, 1-heptamethylenimino-, C₂ -C₄ acylamino and --NH--CHO or with 1 --F or --CF₃ ;where: (D-I) R₁₆ is R₁₆₁ :R₁₆₂ and R₁₇ is R₁₇₇ :R₁₇₂, where one of R₁₆₁ and R₁₆₂ is --H or --CH₃ and the other taken together with one of R₁₇₁ and R₁₇₂ forms a second bond between C₁₆ and C₁₇, and the other of R₁₇₁ and R₁₇₂ is --C(═Z)--(CH₂)_(n) --NR₂₁ R₂₁₀, where Z is ═O, ═CH₂ or R₁₇₉ :-H where R₁₇₉ is --H or --CH₃, where n is 0 through 6, where(A) R₂₁ is(1) --(CH₂)_(m) --NR₂₁₁ --X₂, where m is 2, 3 or 4, where R₂₁₁ is --H or C₁ -C₃ alkyl, where X₂ is: [A](a) pyridin-2-, 3- or 4-yl or the N-oxide thereof optionally substituted by 1 or 2 R₂₁₂, being the same or different, where R₂₁₂ is(i) --F, (ii) --Cl, (iii) --Br, (iv) C₁ -C₅ alkyl, (v) --CH₂ --CH═CH₂, (vi) --X₁, where X₁ is as defined above, (vii) --NR₂₁₃ R₂₁₃ where the R₂₁₃ 's are the same or different and are --H, C₁ -C₃ alkyl or --CH₂ --CH═CH₂, (viiiα) *CH₂ --(CH₂)_(q) --CH₂ --N*-- where the atoms marked with an asterisk (*) are bonded to each other resulting in the formation of a ring, where q is 1 through 5, (viiiβ) *CH₂ --CH₂ --(C₂)_(c) --G-- (CH₂)_(d) --CH₂ --CH₂ --N*-- where the atoms marked with an asterisk (*) are bonded to each other resulting in the formation of a ring, where G is --O--, --S--, --SO--, --SO₂ -- or --NHR₂₁₄, where R₂₁₄ is --H, C₁ -C₃ alkyl, or X₁ as defined above, where c and d are the same or different and are 0 through 2 with the proviso that the total number of ring carbon atoms is 4, 5 or 6, [a] (ix) 3-pyrrolin-1-yl, [b] (x) pyrrol-1-yl optionally substituted with C₁ -C₃ alkyl, [c] (xi) piperidin-1-yl optionally substituted with 1 or 2 C₁ -C₃ alkyl, [d] (xii) 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-1-yl, [e] (xiii) 1-hexamethyleneimino containing a 3- or 4- double bond or 3- and 5- double bonds, [f] (xiv) 1,4-dihydro1-pyridinyl substituted in the 4 position by two C₁ -C₃ alkyl being the same or different, [g] (xv) --OH, (xvi) C₁ -C₃ alkoxy, (xvii) --NR₂₁₇ --(CH₂)_(e) --Q where Q is 2-pyridinyl where R₂₁₇ is --H or C₁ -C₃ alkyl and e is 0 through 3 (1) (xviii) pyridin-2-, 3- or 4-yl, (b) 1,3,5-triazin,4-yl or the N-oxide thereof optionally substituted at the 2- and/or 6- position with R₂₁₂ as is defined above, (4) (c) pyrimidin-4-yl or the N-oxide thereof optionally substituted at the 2- and/or 6- position with R₂₁₂ as is defined above, (5) (d) pyrimidin-2-yl optionally substituted at the 4- and/or 6- position with 1 or 2 R₂₁₂ as is defined above, (6) (e) pyrazin-2-yl optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R₂₁₂ as is defined above, (7) (f) imidazol-2-yl optionally substituted in the 1 position with C₁ -C₃ alkyl or --X₁, where X₁ is as defined above, and further optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R₂₁₂ as defined above, (8) (g) 1,3,4-triazol-2-yl optionally substituted in the 1 position with C₁ -C₃ alkyl or --X₁, where X₁ is as defined above, and further optionally substituted with R₂₁₂ as defined above, (9) (h) imidazol-4- or 5-yl optionally substituted in the 1 position with C₁ -C₃ alkyl or --X₁, where X₁ is as defined above, and further optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R₂₁₂ as defined above, (10) (i) benzo[b]thien-2-yl, (12a) (j) indol-2-yl, (12b) (k) benzo[b]thiazol-2-yl, (12c) (l) benzimidazol-2-yl, (12d) (m) 4-[2-[4-[2,6-bis(1-pyrrolidinyl)-4pyrimidinyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]piperazinyl, (13) (n) 1,2,4-triazin-3-yl optionally substituted at the 5- and/or 6- position with R₂₁₂ as is defined above, (14) (2) (1-piperazinyl)-(C₂ -C₄)alkyl optionally substituted in the 4- position with --X₁ or --X₂ as defined above, [B] (3) --X₂, as defined above, [O] (4) --(CH₂)_(m) --X₄ where m is as defined above and where X₄ is(a) --O--CH₂ CH₂ --Y, where Y is C₁ -C₃ alkylamino, di(C₁ -C₃)alkylamino where the alkyl groups are the same or different, C₃ -C₆ alkyleneimino, optionally substituted with 1 or 2 C₁ -C₃ alkyl, (b) --NR₂₂₀ CH₂ CH₂ -Y, where R₂₂₀ is --H or C₁ -C₃ alkyl and Y is as defined above, (c) --(CH₂)_(g) --N(R₂₂₀)--X₂, where g is 2, 3 or 4, and where R₂₂₀ and X₂ are as defined above, [H] (5) --(CH₂)_(m) --NR₂₂₂ R₂₂₃, where R₂₂₂ is --H or C₁ -C₃ alkyl and R₂₂₃ is --X₁ or --X₂ as defined above, or R₂₂₂ and R₂₂₃ are taken together with the attached nitrogen atom to form a saturated mono-nitrogen C₃ -C₆ heterocyclic ring and where m is as defined above, [I] (6) --(CHCH₃)_(b) --(CH₂)_(f) --R₂₂₄, where b is 0 and f is 1 through 3 or b is one and f is 0 through 3, where R₂₂₄ is phenyl substituted with 1 through 3 --OH, C₁ -C₃ alkoxy, --NR₂₂₅ R₂₂₆ where R₂₂₅ and R₂₂₆ are the same or different and are --H, C₁ -C₃ alkyl or are taken together with the attached nitrogen atom to form a C₄ -C₇ cyclic amino ring, [J] (7) --(CH₂)_(i) --X₂, where i is 1 through 4 and X₂ is as defined above, [K] (8) (1-piperazinyl)acetyl substituted in the 4-position by X₂ where X₂ is as defined above, [L] (9) (1-piperazinyl)carbonylmethyl substituted in the 4- position by --X₂ where X₂ is as defined above, and [M] (B) R₂ ₂₁₀ is(1) --H, (2) C₁ -C₃ alkyl, (3) C₅ -C₇ cycloalkyl, (4) --(CH₂)_(m) --NR₂₁₁ --X₂, where m, R₂₁₁ and X₂ are as defined above, [A] (5) (1-piperazinyl)-(C₂ -C₄)alkyl optionally substituted in the 4- position with --X₁ or --X₂ as defined above, [B] (6) --(CH₂)_(m) --X₄, where m and X₄ are as defined above, [H] (7) --(CH₂)_(m) --NR₂₂₂ R₂₂₃, where m, R₂₂₂ and R₂₂₃ are as defined above, [I] (8) --(CHCH₃)_(b) --(CH₂)_(f) --R₂₂₄, where b, f and R₂₂₄ are as defined above, [J] (C) R₂₁ and R₂₁₀ are taken together with the attached nitrogen atom to form a heterocyclic ring selected from the group consisting of(1) 2-(carboxy)-1-pyrrolidinyl optionally as the C₁ -C₃ alkyl ester or as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, [C-1] (2) 2-(carboxy)1-piperidinyl optionally as the C₁ -C₃ alkyl ester or as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, [C-2] (3) 2-(carboxy)-1-hexamethyleneimino optionally as the C₁ -C₃ alkyl ester or as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, [C-3] (4) 2-(carboxy)1-heptamethyleneimino optionally as the C₁ -C₃ alkyl ester or as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, [C-4] (5) 1-piperazinyl substituted in the 4- position with R₂₂₈ --CO--(CH₂)_(j) --where R₂₂₈ is --X₁, --NR₂₂₉ X₁ or 2-furanyl, where R₂₂₉ is --H or C₁ -C₃ alkyl, where j is 0 through 3 and X₁ is as defined above, [D] (6) 1-piperazinyl substituted in the 4- position with X₂ --(CH₂)_(j) --where X₂ and j are as defined above, [E] (7) 1-piperazinyl substituted in the 4- position with X₁ --(CH₂)_(j) --where X₁ and j are as defined above, [F] (8) 4-hydroxy-1-piperidinyl substituted in the 4- position with X₁ as defined above, [G] (9) 1-piperazinyl substituted in the 4- position with X₂ --NR₂₂₉ --CO--(CH₂)_(i) --, where X₂, R₂₂₉ arid i are as defined above; [N] (D-II) R₁₆ is α-R₁₆₃ :β-R₁₆₄ where one of R₁₆₃ and R₁₆₄ is --H and the other is --H, --F, --CH₃ or --OH, and R₁₇ is --CH--(CH₂)_(p) --NR₂₁ R₂₁₀, where p is 1 or 2, where R₂₁ R₂₁₀ and as defined above; (D-III) R₁₆ is α-R₁₆₅ :β-R₁₆₆ and R₁₇ is α-R₁₇₅ :β-R₁₇₆, where R₁₆₅ is --H, --OH, --F or --CH₃ and R₁₆₆ is --H, --OH, --F, or --CH₃, with the proviso that at least one of R₁₆₅ and R₁₆₆ is --H, where R₁₇₅ is --H, --OH, --CH₃, --CH₂ CH₃, C₂ -C₇ alkanoyloxy or --O--CO--X₁, where X₁ is as defined above, and where R₁₇₆ is --C(═Z)--(CH₂)n--NR₂₁ R₂₁₀, where Z, n, R₂₁ and R₂₁₀ are as defined above; (D-IV) the 16, 17-acetonide of a compound where R₁₆₅ is --OH, R₁₆₆ is --H, R₁₇₅ is --OH and R₁₇₆ is --C(═Z)--(CH₂)_(n) --NR₂₁ R₂₁₀, where Z, n, --R₂₁ and R₂₁₀ are as defined above;and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates and solvates thereof; with the following overall provisos that:(I) one of R₁₆₁ or R₁₆₂ is taken together with one of R₁₇₁ or R₁₇₂ to form a second bond between C₁₆ and C₁₇, only when R₁₀ is αR₁₀₁ :β-R₁₀₂, α-R₁₀₃ :β-R₁₀₄, α-R₁₀₇ :β-R₁₀₈ or α-R₁₀₉ :β-R₁₀₁₀, (II) R₁₇ is --CH--(CH₂)_(p) --NR₂₁ R₂₁₀, only when R₁₀ is α-R₁₀₁ :β-R₁₀₂, α-R₁₀₃ :β-R₁₀₄, α-R₁₀₇ :β-R₁₀₈ or α-R₁₀₉ :β-R₁₀₁₀, (III) R₅ and R₁₀ taken together are ═CH--CH═C(OR₃)--CH═, only when R₁₇ is α-R₁₇₅ :β-R₁₇₆ or the 16, 17-acetonide of a compound where R₁₆ is α-OH:β-H and R₁₇ is α-OH:β--C(═Z)--(CH₂)_(n) --NR₂₁ R₂₁₀, and (IV) R₅ is α-R₅₇ :β-R₅₈, only when R₁₇ is α-R₁₇₅ :62 -R₁₇₆ or α-OH:β-C--(═Z)--(CH₂)_(n) --NR₂₁ R₂₁₀, or the 16,17-acetonide thereof; with an effective stabilizing amount of lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymer in an aqueous medium.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of 21-[4-(2,6-dipyrrolidinyl-4-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl]-16α-methylpregna-1,4,9(11)-triene-3,20-dione or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate thereof; 21-[4-[5,6-bis(diethylamino)-2-pyridinyl]-1-piperazinyl]-16α-methylpregna-1,4,9(11)-triene-3,20-dione, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate thereof; and 21-[4-(3-ethylamino-2-pyridinyl)-1-piperazinyl]-16α-methylpregna-1,4,9(11)-triene-3,20-dione, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate thereof.
 3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of the methanesulfonate salt of 21-[4-(2,6-dipyrrolidinyl-4-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl]-16α-methylpregna-1,4,9(11)-triene-3,20-dione; 21-[4-[3,6-bis(diethylamino)-2-pyridinyl]-1-piperazinyl]-16α-methylpregna-1,4,9(11) -triene-3,20-dione; and 21-[4-(3-ethylamino-2-pyridinyl)-1-piperazinyl]-16α-methylpregna-1,4,9(11)-triene-3,20-dione.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polymer is prepared from at least about 90% by weight, based on the total weight of monomers present, of one or more carboxyl-containing monoethylenically unsaturated monomers.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the monomers are selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polymer has an average particle size of not more than about 50 μm in equivalent spherical diameter.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polymer is used in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 6.5 % by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation. 